Overview
EN ISO 22007-3:2012 (ISO 22007-3:2008) defines the temperature wave analysis method for determining the thermal diffusivity of thin films and plates of plastics in the through-thickness direction. The method applies to plastics in the solid or molten state and to materials with isotropic or orthotropic structure. It covers thermal-diffusivity values in the range 1.0 × 10⁻⁸ m²/s to 1.0 × 10⁻⁴ m²/s and allows measurements in air, inert atmospheres, reduced/elevated pressures or vacuum, and at various temperatures.
Key Topics and Requirements
- Measurement principle: Uses a modulated (AC) heater on the front surface to generate a temperature wave and a resistive sensor on the rear surface to detect the phase shift between front and back temperature oscillations. Thermal diffusivity is derived from phase-shift analysis as a function of angular frequency.
- Apparatus components:
- Heater and thermometer (electrical resistors applied to specimen surfaces)
- Constant-temperature enclosure (temperature stability within ±1 K during measurement)
- Function generator, lock‑in amplifier and phase-shift measurement device
- Specimen holder, backing plates and data acquisition (PC, multimeter)
- Specimen requirements: Thin films or plates with specified dimensions and thickness suitable for through-thickness measurement; backing plates and mounting procedures to ensure valid phase measurements.
- Operating range: Applicable frequency–thickness relationships to ensure accurate phase response (kd and ω considerations are covered in the standard).
- Quality assurance: Calibration and verification procedures, uncertainty evaluation (reference to GUM), and repeatability/precision considerations are specified to support reliable results.
- Analytical support: Annexes provide mathematical background, example data, frequency–thickness guidance, numerical simulations and uncertainty examples.
Applications and Users
- Practical uses of EN ISO 22007-3:2012:
- Characterizing thermal transport in polymer films, laminates and thin plastic components
- R&D for thermal management in electronics, packaging, biomedical devices and nanomaterials
- Quality control where through-thickness thermal diffusivity is critical
- Typical users:
- Materials scientists, polymer engineers and thermal analysts
- Test laboratories and quality assurance teams in plastics and electronics industries
- Academics performing small-scale thermal property measurements
Related Standards
- ISO 22007-1: General principles for thermal conductivity and diffusivity of plastics
- ISO 22007-2: Transient plane heat source (hot disc) method
- ISO 22007-4: Laser flash method
- ISO 472 (plastics vocabulary), ISO 80000-5 (quantities and units - thermodynamics), ISO/IEC Guide 98-3 (GUM: uncertainty)
Keywords: EN ISO 22007-3:2012, temperature wave analysis, thermal diffusivity, thermal conductivity, plastics, thin films, measurement method, phase shift, thermal properties.