Determination of Thermal Diffusivity of Ceramics by Means of Photothermal Beam Deflection

The non-contact and non-destructive photothermal beam deflection (PBD) method has been used for the characterization of the thermal properties of Alumina (Al2O3), Mullite (3Al2O3·2SiO2) and Oxidic-Bonded Silicon Carbide (OBSiC) samples often used in chemical engineering. Measurements of thermal diffusivity κ have been performed. One obtains κ = 7.96 ⋅10$^{-6}$ m²/s for Alumina, κ =1.94 ⋅10$^{-6}$(m² )/s for Mullite and κ = 3.91⋅10$^{-6}$(m² )/s for OBSiC.