Thermal conductivity of carbon-containing refractories

The measurements of the heat transfer coefficient of carbon-containing refractories at temperatures up to 800 degreesC by the hot-wire method are presented. Based on the solution of the Fourier-Kirchhoff equation the criteria of the method application to finite size samples are developed. The appearance of the minimum on the lambda(t) curve is an indication of an even initial temperature within the sample, while the heat transfer coefficient is equal to the value at the point of minimum. Carbon in refractory materials enhances thermal conductivity, but only above 400 degreesC. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd and Techna S.r.l. All rights reserved.