Thermal properties measurement of slate using laser flash method

The thermal diffusivity of slate has been measured on disc samples of 6 mm in diameter and 2.25 to 2.45 mm in thickness by the laser flash method. A small, uniform, thermally insulated sample initially at constant temperature receive a short pulse of energy at front surface and the transient temperature of the back surface is recorded to evaluate the thermal diffusivity. The thermal conductivity has been determined by the measured thermal diffusivity, reported slate density and determining the specific heat capacity by means of a differential scanning calorimeter. The experimental system for thermal diffusivity measurements has been developed using a pulsed Nd:YAG laser; and a vacuum chamber as well as the sample holder have been designed and coupled to PC in order to register the temperature evolution.

► Thermal diffusivity of slate has been determined using laser flash technique.
► Specific heat capacity has been measured by differential scanning calorimetry.
► Thermal conductivity was calculated from the experimental results.