Thermal Properties of Materials

Abstract

In previous chapters, we described how a material’s properties change with temperature. We found in many cases that mechanical and physical properties depend on the temperature at which the material serves or on the temperature to which the material may be subjected during processing. An appreciation of the thermal properties of materials is helpful in understanding mechanical failure of materials such as ceramics, coatings, and fibres when the temperature changes; in designing processes in which materials must be heated; or in selecting materials to transfer heat rapidly — as for electronic devices. In this chapter, we discuss the heat capacity, thermal expansion properties, and thermal conductivity of materials in order to gain this appreciation.