Measurement of Thermophysical Properties by Two Different Methods and Study of Their Uncertainties

Thermophysical parameters of a known PVC (polyvinylchloride) sample were investigated by two different measurement methods. An active infrared thermography method (flash method) and a peri odic method were used for simultaneous characterization of thermal conductivity, diffusivity, effusivity and specific heat at room temperature, along with their corresponding statistical uncertainties. The results were compared with values from the literat ure, and show that the two measurement methods are complementary: thermal diffusivity was better estimated with the flash method than with the periodic method; on the contrary, the thermal conductivity uncertainty obtained using the flash method is more im portant. On the other hand, the measurement time is shorter for the flash method.