Theory: In heat transfer, conduction (or heat conduction) is the transfer of thermal energy between

neighboring molecules in a substance due to a temperature gradient. It always takes place from a
region of higher temperature to a region of lower temperature, and acts to equalize temperature
differences. Conduction takes place in all forms of matter, viz. solids, liquids, gases and plasmas,
but does not require any bulk motion of matter. In solids, it is due to the combination of
vibrations of the molecules in a lattice and the energy transport by free electrons. In gases and
liquids, conduction is due to the collisions and diffusion of the molecules during their random
motion.
With composite systems it is convenient to work with an overall heat transfer coefficient, which
is defined by an expression analogous to Newtons law of cooling.
Formulae Used:-

Q
A

dT
dx

i =n
l
L
= i
kA i=1 k i Ai

.
Relevance: When heat is being conducted from one fluid to another through a barrier, it is sometimes
important to consider the conductance of the thin film of fluid which remains stationary next to
the barrier. This thin film of fluid is difficult to quantify, its characteristics depending upon
complex conditions of turbulence and viscosity, but when dealing with thin high-conductance
barriers it can sometimes be quite significant.
If we want to identify the conductivity of a given material then we can find its conductivity using
the experiment.
Also we can find the application of any given material in industry based on the value of the
conductivity already known from the experiment.

Diagram: -

Fig: 01

Procedure: 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

We will fix the value of voltage and current, and maintain a constant input heat flow rate.
The value of voltage and current is maintained constant throughout the experiment.
We take the value of the temperatures in the thermocouples.
Then for two successive readings for the same material we note the difference in the
value of temperature.
We have to see that the difference between the value in the temperature decreases.
If the difference goes on decreasing, it means steady state is reaching.
As we approach steady state we decrease the interval in which the readings are noted.
We will decrease the time interval first to fifteen and then to ten minutes so that the
temperature remains constant for different materials throughout that time interval.
This is the steady state and we will use readings at this point for our calculations.

Specification: Slab Sizes

Cast Iron

: 300 mm diameter and 25 mm thickness

Bakelite

: 300 mm diameter and 19 mm thickness

Press Wood : 300 mm diameter and 12 mm thickness

Observation and Calculation Table: Voltage: 130 volt

current: 0.87 amp

Table: 01

S. No.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

Temperatures
( 0C)
Time
10:00
14:46
15:13
15:40
16:10
16:40
17:00
17:20
17:40
18:00
18:10
18:20

T1

T2

T3

T4

T5

T6

T7

T8

25
115
120
126
131
137
140
144
147
150
151
152

25
115
120
126
131
137
140
144
147
149
151
152

25
111
116
122
127
132
136
140
143
145
146
148

25
112
117
123
128
133
137
140
143
146
167
149

25
66
69
72
76
79
81
84
86
87
88
89

25
70
73
77
81
84
86
89
91
93
93
94

25
42
44
46
48
49
50
52
53
54
54
55

25
49
51
53
55
57
58
60
61
61
62
62

Table: 02

Material

Temperature range( 0C)

Conductivity
(Watt/ m- K)

Cast Iron

T1-T3
(152-148)
T2-T4
(152-149)
T3-T5
(148-89)
T4-T6
(149-94)
T5-T7
(89-55)
T6-T8
(94-62)

5.003

Bakelite

Press Wood

Mean Conductivity (Watt/

m- K)

5.852
6.700
0.260
0.270
0.280
0.283
0.292
0.300

Result : Table: 03
Material

Cast Iron
Bakelite
Press Wood

Experimental Value of Thermal

Conductivity k
(watt/m K)
5.852
0.270
0.292

Literature Value of Thermal

Conductivity at mean
temperature k (watt/m K)

Discussion: 1. We can find thermal conductivity of different material and accordingly find its use based
on those values, and classify them as conductors, insulators and semiconductors.
2. We compare the theoretical and the experimental values of the conductivity, and find the
equivalent conductance.
3. There might be several reasons behind the difference in values obtained from the
experiment and the literature value.
4. One may be that losses may occur due to radial conduction of heat as cotton is not a
perfect insulator.
5. There may be difference in reading in the two thermocouple of the same material due to
imperfect compactness in the plates.
6. There might be presence of air between the plates that affect the final results.
7. There is also a change in the voltage due to some manual error that might affect the
attaining of steady state.

Conclusion: We are performing the experiment to find the thermal conductivity of different materials using
the composite slab experiment and also the equivalent conductivity. And finally we compare the
literature and experimental values.
The literature and experimental values may differ as the composite wall is not perfectly
insulated.
Reference:-