FLASHLINE ™ 3000
THERMAL PROPERTIES ANALYZER

To request a quote, please fill out our Request for Particulars form.

MODULAR ARCHITECTURE

This instrument is perhaps the most flexible system of its kind. It allows the selection of subsystems and options to assemble a configuration that best suits any application. Many of these elements are interchangeable or selectable as an addition at a later date to grow with changing needs. Noteworthy among these are the multiple sample testing option and the large sample option, both of which were pioneered by Anter. These features not only increase productivity, but also make the optional specific heat capacity measurement reliable.

-150° to 200° & RT to 1100°C Large and small sample sizes High sample throughput α Cr measurement, and λ In-plane testing of thin plates Table top system Multiple sample testing

PRICED MODERATELY & SIMPLE TO OPERATE

The FlashLine ™ -3000 device covers the most commonly needed cryogenic to 1100°C temperature range with six models. It is suitable for research and development programs as well as production control. This system uses a High Speed Xenon Discharge (HSXD) pulse source with optionally selectable internal modules. The compact bench-top unit is easy to maintain and very economical to operate in terms of consumables.

HSXD SYSTEM

Developed and patented by Anter addresses the problem of producing a pulse that is short (shorter than many laser-based commercial systems), while uniformly concentrating sufficient power from the flash source directly on the entire face of the sample. Due to this optimized energy gathering scheme, even samples as large as 25 mm in diameter can be illuminated with sufficient energy. Pulse energy and with it pulse duration is software selectable.

The FlashLine ™ -3000 system can accommodate a variety of sample sizes, starting with standard small samples to large diameter thick samples. This allows testing of coarse-grain materials (such as refractories, carbons, rocks, etc.) and composites. Also, using special sample fixtures, pastes, films, liquids, and samples through melting can be tested. For radioactive or hazardous materials, special sample capsules are available that allow keeping the system in a clean area while the capsules are loaded inside a glove box. The modular design allows the separation of the instrument section from the control electronics for glove box or hot cell installation.

TESTING TIME

Only minutes at ambient. Reaching other temperatures is also highly accelerated as compared to conventional systems due to the use of an InfraRed furnace. A test sequence to 1100°C in 100°C intervals can be completed in a few hours for three samples concurrently. Using the thermal conductivity testing mode, the device offers a nearly tenfold time reduction when compared to the much more difficult to perform steady state measurement procedures.

Operating and data analysis software combine ease of use by non-technical operators with additional powerful analysis tools for advanced research.

CONFIGURATION

The system, in its lowest cost form, is a single sample, conventional device. Alternately, it may be configured as a two or three sample instrument. (A single sample device can also be upgraded any time for multi-sample operation.) The instrument automatically indexes the sample holder and precisely brings into alignment one sample at a time.

The rear surface temperature rise is detected with either a high quality InSb detector for above ambient measurements or a solid state detector for lower temperatures. Sample temperature is measured with thermocouples adjacent to the sample being measured. Due to the high thermal uniformity of the proprietary high speed IR furnace, the sample temperature is known to be within ±1°C. Extensive temperature programming is provided directly from software with very tight (±0.5°C) resolution. The high speed IR furnace is capable of controlled heating rates up to 100°C/ minute to go from one test temperature to the next one.

BASE INSTRUMENT

FlashLine ™ -3000 Thermal Properties Analyzer, equipped with furnace, complete temperature control and data acquisition subsystems, HSXD pulse source and power supply, control electronics, safety interlocks, optical pulse delivery components, IR optics, and LN₂ cooled IR detector or solid state detector for rear face thermogram determination.

• Single sample operation
• Large sample operation (up to 32mm dia.)
• Two sample operation (32mm dia.)
• Three sample operation (12.7mm dia.)
• Five sample operation (8mm dia, square)

SAMPLE HOLDERS

One appropriate sample holder is necessary to complete the system. When considering the material of construction must be taken into consideration to avoid compatibility problems with samples. All sample holders are interchangeable. Accessory adapters are available to test 20, 12.7mm diameter, and a variety of square or rectangular samples.

ATMOSPHERE

The instrument in its basic form is gas-tight and ready for air or inert gas purging. Operation with vacuum is optional. Low Vacuum Service (to 10^-3 torr range), High Vacuum Service (to 10^-5 torr range).

SPECIFIC HEAT CAPACITY DETERMINATION

The use of the flash technique to determine heat capacity is based on alternately measuring a known (reference) and an unknown (sample) in a quantitative way, and obtaining the results from their differential behavior. To do this, the flash source must remain stable during the period that separates the "reference" shot from the "unknown" shot. Using the multi-sample, indexed operating mode, the system will test the "unknown" immediately after the "reference", with minimal time differential, and in the exact same thermal environment. Under these conditions, results as good or better than those produced by conventional means, such as Differential Scanning Calorimeter, can be obtained. (See Technical Note TN-77.)

Usable only with multi-sample system, except for ambient operation.
Order reference materials separately.

THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY DETERMINATION

Thermal conductivity can be computed from measured values of thermal diffusivity and specific heat capacity, with the additional knowledge of density. Thus, a system can automatically determine thermal conductivity using the measured (or separately entered) heat capacity and thermal diffusivity, with separately entered density data.

REFERENCES

Although the flash method is absolute in nature (it requires no transfer standard for calibration), it is advisable to periodically run verification tests to ascertain proper system operation. For specific heat capacity testing, the use of one reference is a necessity. All references are supplied with appropriate certificate.

For service above 1100°C (up to 3000°C), the FlashLine ™ - 5000 System should be considered.

To request a quote, please fill out our Request for Particulars form.
Specifications are subject to change without notice.