Areas of application
Plant engineering, material development, metallurgy, thermal treatment, cryogenic hardening, curing of defects, research, application of compound materials
Objective
ILK Dresden has long-time experience in cryogenic measurements. We support you by a comprehensive characterisation of heat capacity, thermal conductivity, thermal expansion, and further dimensions such as permeation. The typical T range is from approx. 4 K to 350 K. Furthermore, we are offering the calibration of T sensors and the performance of thermal cycles.
Description
Numerous physical properties of material as thermal conductivity, heat capacity, and thermal expansion are temperature dependent. In the cryogenic range, the data base is incomplete in many cases. This, especially, concerns novel materials and compounds.
At ILK Dresden, relevant test stands have been designed, continuously developed, and adapted to the requirements of materials, devices, and customers. The measurement range usually covers 4 K to 350 K. The test temperature is variable. In many cases, cryocooler are employed.
The thermal conductivity is evaluated by quasi-statival methods such as a rod method or a heat-plate technique. The heat capacity is investigated by calorimetric or heat-pulse procedures. The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) is measured by highly sensitive capacitive sensors, als optical techniques are available. The low-temperature permeation behaviour is characterised using a mass spectrometer.
As a further service, temperature sensors of various types can be calibrated down to the cryogenic range with high precision. They are traced to secondary standards. Also thermocouples can be calibrated.
Furthermore, thermal cycles can be performed in order to test the long-time reliability of materials and devices, to heal defects, or for cryogenic hardening. Several test stands are available for an operation under vacuum as well as in nitrogen atmosphere.
Additional information on both, preferred sample dimensions and more details on experimental parameters, please find in the references.
