The benchmark instrument

The Hot Disk TPS 2500 S is the flagship instrument in the system portfolio of Hot Disk AB. This general-purpose R&D instrument is designed for precision analysis of thermal transport properties – including thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity and specific heat capacity. The TPS 2500 S covers an extensive range of materials of various geometries and dimensions, and meets ISO Standard 22007-2.

The standardized TPS technique – today used in more than 1000 laboratories – is highly appreciated for its ability to simultaneously determine thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity and specific heat capacity from a single measurement, with limited emphasis on sample preparation. The operative simplicity of the TPS 2500 S and the performance achieved when using optimally designed Hot Disk sensors, makes this system an ideal, trustworthy tool for tests of solids, liquids, powders, pastes and foams. The trademark high accuracy and precision also makes the instrument suitable for QC testing.

The selection of software modules allows the TPS 2500 S to be used in many specialized applications, from basic testing of isotropic materials (Isotropic module) to measurements of rod-shaped specimens (One-dimensional module); thin films, coatings or adhesive layers (Thin Film module); high-conducting sheets or slabs (Slab module); extremely light and low-conducting materials (Low-density/Highly-insulating module); and anisotropic samples or layered structures (Anisotropic module) – all important applications in the electronics, automotive, aerospace, nuclear and chemical industries. Furthermore, with the unique feature of being able to probe thermal conductivity as a function of sample depth (Structural Probe module), the TPS 2500 S can e.g. be used to determine whether a sample is homogeneous or not. In addition to these applications the TPS 2500 S can also be employed for dedicated specific heat capacity testing of large (compared to conventional methods, e.g. DSC) solid samples, such as complex composites.

The Hot Disk Thermal Analyser software for the TPS 2500 S system incorporates tools for automated measurements as well as automatic temperature control of external devices. It also incorporates tools for exporting results to 3rd-party software (MS Excel), for additional processing or statistical analysis. For precise and automatic temperature readings an optional PT-100 temperature sensor is available.

TPS 2500 S Specifications1

Measurement
Sample Types Bulks, rods, slabs, sheets, foils, films, laminates, composites, minerals, batteries, textiles, granules, powders, pastes, gels, liquids, foams and insulators.
Evaluation
Anisotropy Yes, uniaxial materials can be characterised, using optional Anisotropic Measurement Module.
One-Dimensional Yes, axial estimations possible for a complex sample configuration.
Sample Dimensions
Smallest Bulk sample: 0.5 mm thick x 2 mm wide (circle or square).
Rod sample: 5 mm long x 2.5 mm wide (circle or square).
Slab sample: 42 μm thick x 8 mm wide (circle or square).
Thin film sample: 10 μm thick x 22 mm wide (circle or square).
Largest Bulk sample: unlimited.
Rod sample: unlimited length x 60 mm wide (circle or square).
Slab sample: 20 mm thick x unlimited wide (circle or square).
Thin Film sample: 500 μm thick x unlimited wide (circle or square).
Sample Temperature Range -253°C (20 K) to 1000°C.
Core Instrument RT.
With Optional TCU Tubular Furnace: RT to 1000°C (oxygen-free environment required above 750°C).
Muffle Furnace: RT to 750°C.
Convection Oven: RT to 600°C.
Bath Circulator: -30°C to 200°C.
Cryostat: -195°C (78 K) to RT.
Measurement Time2 1 to 2560 seconds (depending on sample material and sensor dimensions).
Measurement Range
Thermal Conductivity Bulk sample: 0.005 to 500 W/m/K.
Rod sample: 1 to 1800 W/m/K.
Slab sample: 5 to 1500 W/m/K.
Thin Film sample: 0.01 to 5 W/m/K.
Thermal Diffusivity Bulk sample: 0.01 to 400 mm²/s.
Rod sample: 1 to 1400 mm²/s.
Slab sample: 5 to 1000 mm²/s.
Thin Film sample: 0.02 to 2 mm²/s.
Thermal Effusivity 20 to 55000 W√s/m²/K.
Specific Heat Capacity Up to 5 MJ/m³/K.
Measurement Accuracy
Thermal Conductivity Better than 5%.
Thermal Diffusivity Better than 10%.
Measurement Reproducibility3
Thermal Conductivity Typically better than 2%.
Thermal Diffusivity Typically better than 5%.
Measurement Repeatability4
Thermal Conductivity Typically 0.055% (Stainless Steel bulk sample, Kapton-insulated Hot Disk sensor model 5501, and 22°C sample temperature).
Thermal Diffusivity Typically 0.22% (Stainless Steel bulk sample, Kapton-insulated Hot Disk sensor model 5501, and 22°C sample temperature).
Measurement Sensitivity5
Temperature Typically 17 μK (Stainless Steel sample, Kapton-insulated Hot Disk sensor model 5501, and 22°C sample temperature).
General
Meets ISO Standard 22007-2 Yes.
Measurement Modules
Included Isotropic, Single-Sided Testing, One-Dimensional, Structural Probe, and Automation.
Optional Anisotropic, Slab, Thin Film, Low-Density/Highly Insulating, and Specific Heat Capacity.
Sensor Models
Kapton-insulated Hot Disk sensor All models.
Teflon-insulated Hot Disk sensor All models.
Mica-insulated Hot Disk sensor All models.
Kapton-insulated Hot Strip sensor All models.
Instrument Environment
Operating 15°C to 30°C.
Storage -20°C to 45°C.
Instrument Line Power
Supply Voltage 100 – 240 VAC, 50 – 60 Hz.
Power Consumption 45 W typical, 255 W maximum.
Instrument Warm-Up 2 hours to rated measurement performance.
Instrument Input and Output
Rear Panel USB type B connector (female) for connectivity.
RS232 connector (male) for optional TCU.
Front Panel LEMO 8 pin connector (female) for Hot Disk or Hot Strip sensor.
LEMO 4 pin connector (female) for optional PT100 temperature sensor.
Instrument Dimensions 325 mm high x 455 mm wide x 490 mm deep.
Instrument Weight 25 kg.
Instrument CE Marking Yes.
  1. Hot Disk AB reserves the right to make changes without prior notice, whether due to misprints, improved hardware, or extended software capabilities.↩︎
  2. Time of transient temperature reading. An additional temperature settling time that depends on the sample material and TCU (if applied) is required to ensure isothermal condition before the reading.↩︎
  3. Comparing measurements performed by different instrument set-ups.↩︎
  4. Variation in consecutive measurements performed by a single instrument set-up. Note that this value depends on sample material, sensor model, and sample temperature.↩︎
  5. Standard deviation in fitting ∆Τ(τ)-function to the transient temperature reading. Note that this value depends on sample material, sensor model, sample temperature, and can vary considerably.↩︎

Included with the TPS 2500 S instrument

  • Hot Disk® Desktop App software (latest version)

Basic Option:

  • 5 x Measurement Modules: Isotropic, Single-Sided Testing, One-Dimensional, Structural Probe, and Automation.
  • 1 x Kapton-insulated Hot Disk or Hot Strip sensor: Model free of choice, with cable.

Regular Complete Option:

  • 9 x Measurement Modules: Isotropic, Anisotropic, Single-Sided Testing, Slab, Thin Film, One-Dimensional, Specific Heat Capacity, Structural Probe, and Automation.
  • 10 x Kapton-insulated Hot Disk or Hot Strip sensors: Models free of choice, with cable.

Extended Complete Option:

  • 10 x Measurement Modules: Isotropic, Anisotropic, Single-Sided Testing, Slab, Thin Film, Low-Density/Highly Insulating, One-Dimensional, Specific Heat Capacity, Structural Probe, and Automation.
  • 10 x Kapton-insulated Hot Disk or Hot Strip sensors: Models free of choice, with cable.
  • 1 x Stainless Steel verification bulk sample.
  • 1 x Single-sided background insulation (single-sided testing).
  • 1 x Room temperature sample holder (hood included).
  • Instructions manual.
  • Instrument test protocol.
  • Power supply cord and USB cable.