Use and Abuse of Methodology for Thermal Conductivity Measurements

Abstract

The paper reviews the conditions necessary for the accurate measurement of the thermal conductivity of materials and sets out criteria for instruments achieving the highest quality in such measurements. By means of several examples it is shown that both historically and still today, many available instruments in the research laboratory and those available commercially do not adhere to one or more of the criteria set out. The consequences of this failure along with the wastage of effort, time and money it has caused, are illustrated by examples. The paper concludes with a call for action to the interested community including editors and referees of relevant journals to be vigilant in their assessments of work to protect the integrity of the field.