--- type: "WebPage" title: "Thermal diffusivity measurement in laboratory – Service" description: "You would like to perform a thermal diffusivity measurement on your materials Thermal diffusivity is a physical property that describes the rate at which heat spreads within a material when subjected to a temperature change. It is the material's ability..." resource: "https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/thermal-analysis-laboratory/thermal-diffusivity-measurement/" tags: ["EN", "pll_692ef7ff3b12b", "Thomas GAUTIER"] timestamp: "2026-03-16T15:23:20Z" published: "2025-12-02T15:00:06Z" language: "en" author: "Laure Durieux" --- # Thermal diffusivity measurement in laboratory – Service ## You would like to perform a thermal diffusivity measurement on your materials **Thermal diffusivity** is a physical property that describes the**rate at which heat spreads within a material** when subjected to a temperature change. It is the material’s ability to **quickly distribute** the heat it receives. It combines three fundamental parameters: - **Thermal conductivity** (the ability to conduct heat) - **Heat capacity** (the amount of energy required to raise its temperature) - The material’s **density** ### Evaluate a material's ability to transmit heat accurately **Thermal diffusivity** is a key property for understanding how a [material](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/polymer-materials-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-material-testing/) reacts to temperature changes. It indicates the**rate** at which heat propagates through a solid and is an essential parameter for sizing, validating, and optimizing your thermally stressed materials. ### Our technical resources for thermal conductivity measurement ### Laser Flash Method (LFA) A laser sends a pulse to one side of the sample; an infrared detector measures the temperature rise on the opposite side. ### Hot Disk Method Transient analysis using a plane source, allowing simultaneous measurements ### Hot Wire Method Transient method for measuring diffusivity in liquids, gels, oils and porous materials. ### DSC Additional measure to complete the diffusivity calculation. ## The FILAB laboratory performs thermal diffusivity measurements ### In what context should a thermal diffusivity measurement be performed? Measuring thermal diffusivity allows us to: - understand the rate at which heat propagates through a material, - compare several [material options to select the most suitable solution](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/rd/support-product-development/support-from-a-laboratory-in-the-choice-of-your-raw-materials.md), - validate expected heat dissipation or thermal insulation, - monitor the stability of a process or formulation in production, - evaluate the impact of [heat treatment](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-surface-characterization/analysis-of-hardened-heat-treatment-on-steel-in-the-laboratory.md), ageing, or a demanding environment, - model the thermal behavior of a part or a complete system, - investigate [failures](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-analysis-failures.md) related to overheating or loss of insulation. This measurement is becoming essential in many fields: electronics and batteries, electric mobility, [energy](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/laboratory-analysis-nuclear-energy.md), [aerospace](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/laboratory-analysis-aeronautics-aerospace.md), [medical devices](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/laboratory-analysis-medical-devices.md), [transportation](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/analysis-of-metal-alloys-for-the-transportation-industry.md), technical [packaging](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/polymer-materials-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-material-characterization/analysis-of-industrial-packaging-in-a-laboratory/), [additive manufacturing](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/metallic-powders-characterization-services-at-filab-laboratory/metallurgical-expertise-on-metal-parts-from-additive-manufacturing.md), etc. ### Our laboratory thermal analysis services From analysis to R&D, the FILAB laboratory offers multi-sector services to meet a wide range of thermal analysis requirements, including : [ Thermogravimetric analysis by ATG](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/tga-tga-ftir-and-tga-ms-analysis-at-filab-laboratory.md) [Thermal analysis on polymer materials](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/polymer-materials-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-analysis-thermal-degradation-polymers.md) [Thermal conductivity measurement](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/characterization-magnetic-electrical-properties/thermal-conductivity/) [Thermal effusivity measurement](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/characterization-magnetic-electrical-properties/measurement-thermal-effusivity/) [Training in the ATG technique](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/rd/laboratory-analytical-chemistry-training/atg-training-for-laboratories.md) [Thermomechanical tests on polymers](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/polymer-materials-analysis-laboratory/thermomechanical-tests-on-polymers-in-the-laboratory.md) [Thermal expansion measurement](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/polymer-materials-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-material-testing/laboratory-analysis-thermal-thermogravimetric/thermal-expansion-measurement/) ## FAQ What materials can be analyzed by measuring thermal diffusivity? Thermal diffusivity measurements are applicable to a very wide variety of materials, whether bulk, thin, porous, or fluid. At filab, tests are performed on: - **Metals and alloys**: aluminum, steel, stainless steel, titanium, copper, etc., used in aerospace, energy, mobility, and additive manufacturing. - **Polymers and elastomers**: thermoplastics, thermosets, biopolymers, films, resins, etc., with or without fillers. - **Composites**: laminates, fibrous materials, carbon or glass composites, high-performance technical materials. - **Ceramics and refractory materials**: oxides, nitrides, carbides, insulating or ultra-resistant materials. - **Glasses and vitrifiable materials**, used in electronics, optics, and packaging. - **Foams and cellular materials**: expanded polymers, metallic or ceramic foams, thermal insulators. - **Powders** (polymers, metals, ceramics) — particularly for additive manufacturing, sintering, or metal/plastic injection molding. - **Liquids, oils, and gels,** whose thermal behavior varies significantly with temperature. What are the differences between thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity? Diffusivity measures the **speed** at which heat propagates; conductivity measures the **amount** of heat transmitted. The two properties are related but distinct. Is thermal diffusivity measurement destructive? No, in the vast majority of cases. Transient methods (LFA, Hot Disk, Hot Wire) are non-destructive. What are the analytical techniques for measuring thermal diffusivity? Several methods allow for the precise measurement of thermal diffusivity across a wide range of materials. - **Laser Flash Analysis (LFA)** The international reference method. Principle: A laser pulses onto one face of the sample; an infrared detector measures the temperature rise on the opposite face. Analysis of the signal allows for the calculation of thermal diffusivity. Advantages: Very high accuracy Measurements over a wide temperature range Suitable for bulk materials or pellets Ideal for metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites - **Hot Disk Method (TPS – Transient Plane Source)** Transient analysis using a plane source, allowing simultaneous measurement of: Thermal diffusivity Thermal conductivity Heat capacity Advantages: Suitable for isotropic and anisotropic materials Ideal for foams, powders, polymers, and composites - **Hot Wire Method** Transient method for measuring diffusivity in liquids, gels, oils, and porous materials. DSC: DSC is not a method for measuring thermal diffusivity, but it is essential for calculating thermal conductivity from a diffusivity measurement (LFA). It therefore serves as a complementary technique, essential for complete thermal characterization.