This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what

changes have been made to the previous version. Because

it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.

Designation: F433 − 02 (Reapproved 2009) F433 − 02 (Reapproved 2014)´1

Standard Practice for

Evaluating Thermal Conductivity of Gasket Materials1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F433; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of original
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A superscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

ε1 NOTE—Editorially corrected Footnote 6 in July 2014.

1. Scope
1.1 This practice covers a means of measuring the amount of heat transfer quantitatively through a material or system.
1.2 This practice is similar to the Heat Flow Meter System of Test Method C518, but modified to accommodate small test
samples of higher thermal conductance.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.

2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:2

iTeh Standards
C518 Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of the Heat Flow Meter Apparatus
D2214 Test Method for Estimating the Thermal Conductivity of Leather with the Cenco-Fitch Apparatus (Withdrawn 2008)3
F104 Classification System for Nonmetallic Gasket Materials

3. Terminology
(https://standards.iteh.ai)
3.1 Definitions:
Document Preview
3.1.1 thermal conductivity, k, of a solid material—the time rate of steady heat flow, watts (or Btu/h), through a unit area, m 2
2
(or ft ), per unit temperature gradient in the direction perpendicular to an isothermal surface °C/m (or °F/in.). The k-factor is
expressed W/m·K (Btu·in./h·ft2 ·°F). ASTM F433-02(2014)e1
3.2 Symbols:
https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/6fa9fc10-3794-4502-9462-ef913a9ad539/astm-f433-022014e1
k = thermal conductivity, W/m·K (Btu·in./h·ft2·°F)
C = thermal conductance, W/m2·K (Btu/h·ft2·°F)
∆x = sample thickness, mm (in.)
A = sample cross-sectional area, m2 (ft2)
q = heat flow, W (Btu/h)
φ = heat flow transducer output, mV
N = heat flow transducer calibration constant, W/m2·mV (Btu/h·ft2·mV)
Nφ = heat flux, W/m2 (Btu/h·ft2)
∆T = temperature difference, °C (°F) or mV
T1 = temperature of lower sample surface,°C (°F) or mV
T2 = temperature of upper sample surface, °C (°F) or mV
Th = temperature of HFT surface facing sample,° C (°F) or mV
Tc = temperature of upper heater surface facing sample, °C (°F) or mV
T = temperature, °C (°F)

1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F03 on Gaskets and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F03.10 on Composite Gaskets.
Current edition approved May 1, 2009July 1, 2014. Published May 2009November 2014. Originally approved in 1964. Last previous edition approved in 20022009 as
F433 – 02.F433 – 02 (2009). DOI: 10.1520/F0433-02R09.10.1520/F0433-02R14E01.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

1
 F433 − 02 (2014)´1

FIG. 1 Heat Flow Meter Assembly With Water-Cooled Heat Sink

δ = total temperature drop across interfaces between sample and adjacent surfaces, °C (°F) or mV
ρ = coefficient of thermal resistance at interfaces, m2·K/W (h·ft2·°F/Btu)
α = correction constant
subscripts
subscriptr
=
=
unknown sample
known calibration sample
iTeh Standards
4. Summary of Practice (https://standards.iteh.ai)
Document
plate to produce a flowPreview
4.1 The sample and the heat flow transducer (HFT) are sandwiched between two controlled heater plates. The lower heater is
set at a higher temperature than the upper of heat through the sample. The differential of these two
temperatures, ∆ T, sensed by thermocouples, is amplified along with the electrical output, φ, of the HFT and is directly proportional
to the heat flow through the sample, expressed as W/m2 (Btu/h·ft2). See Appendix for further information. This recommended
ASTM
practice can be used for measuring heat transfer at F433-02(2014)e1
a hot side temperature up to 200°C (392°F). See Figs. 1-5.

5. https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/6fa9fc10-3794-4502-9462-ef913a9ad539/astm-f433-022014e1
Significance and Use
5.1 This practice is designed to compare related materials under controlled conditions and their ability to maintain a minimum
amount of thermal conductance. Test results should be correlated with field results in order to predict heat transfer properties in
particular applications.
5.2 This practice may be used as a routine test when agreed upon by the user and the producer.

6. Apparatus
6.1 Heat Flow Transducer (HFT), with controlled heater plates, thermocouples, and an analog computer module.4

7. Test Specimen
7.1 The sample size shall be a 50.8-mm (2-in.) diameter disk 60.25 mm (60.010 in.) from 2.29 to 12.7 mm (0.090 to 0.500
in.) thick.

8. Conditioning
8.1 Condition the cut specimens in accordance with their classification, as required in Classification F104.

9. Procedure
9.1 Test temperatures are suggested from 100 to 175°C (212 to 347°F) or whatever is agreed upon between the producer and
user. (The guard heater is usually set at or near the average sample temperature between the lower and upper heater plates.)

4
The sole source of supply of the apparatus known to the committee at this time is Holometrix, Inc., 25 Wiggins Avenue, Bedford, MA 01730–2323. If you are aware
of alternative suppliers, please provide this information to ASTM Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the responsible technical
committee, which you may attend.

2
 F433 − 02 (2014)´1

FIG. 2 HFT Electrical Output and Heat Flow Section With Temperature Sensors

9.1.1 Release the compressive load, pull out the tray, and load the sample. Care must be maintained to ensure that the tray
compartment is free of any foreign matter. Clean as required.
9.1.2 Push the tray back into the chamber with a ball and plunger locking the tray into position.
9.1.3 Close the test section door and switch the air control to “stack clamped.” The sample holder is now raised automatically
until the sample is clamped in place between the upper and lower heaters. The compressive load can be adjusted by controlling
the air pressure at the rear of the unit. A pressure of 0.345 MPa (50 psi) is the recommended maximum and should be specified
by both the producer and user to ensure repeatable results.
9.1.4 Allow from 1 to 2 h for the reading to stabilize. Read the sample thermal conductance and temperature directly from
digital meters on the front panel. The instrument has stabilized when the temperature indicated changes by no more than 65 % ⁄h
and the conductance indicated changes no more than 62 % ⁄h.
10. Report
10.1 The report shall include the following:
10.1.1 Sample conditioning procedure,
10.1.2 Ambient temperature,

iTeh Standards
10.1.3 Sample hot side temperature, Th,
10.1.4 Sample cold side temperature, Tc,
10.1.5 Sample temperature drop, Th − T c,
(https://standards.iteh.ai)
10.1.6 Average sample temperature, (Th + Tc)/2,
10.1.7 Sample thickness, ∆x,

Document Preview
10.1.8 Thermal conductivity, k, and
10.1.9 Compressive load.
11. Precision and Bias
11.1 The precision of the practice is expected ASTM F433-02(2014)e1
to be within 65 %.
https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/6fa9fc10-3794-4502-9462-ef913a9ad539/astm-f433-022014e1

3
 F433 − 02 (2014)´1

FIG. 3 Location of Thermocouples to Produce a Temperature Gradient Through the Test Sample

FIG. 4 The Hot and Cold Sample Surface Temperature Differential Amplified with the HFT Output, Divided Electronically, and Displayed
Digitally

iTeh Standards
(https://standards.iteh.ai)
Document Preview
ASTM F433-02(2014)e1
https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/6fa9fc10-3794-4502-9462-ef913a9ad539/astm-f433-022014e1

FIG. 5 Clarification of Fig. 4 Showing the Calibration to Obtain the Correction Constant Correct Value Before Testing an Unknown
Sample

12. Keywords
12.1 comparative thermal conductance; heat flow; thermal conductance

APPENDIXES

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. GENERAL INFORMATION

X1.1 If a test specimen in the form of a disk is held between two flat surfaces, each controlled at a different temperature, a flow
of heat passes through the sample from the hot to the cold surface. The thermal conductivity is determined by the following
equation:
q ∆x
k5
A ∆T
@ W/m·K # or @Btu·in./h·ft 2·°F # (X1.1)