HFM Heat Flow Meter Thermal Conductivity Tester

HFM Heat Flow Meter Thermal Conductivity Tester｜Thermal Performance Measurement for Low-Conductivity Insulation Materials

The HFM Heat Flow Meter Thermal Conductivity Tester is a simple, fast, and high-accuracy thermal property measurement system. It is mainly used for measuring the thermal conductivity of low-conductivity insulation materials, as well as other materials such as building materials, ceramics, and polymers. The system is designed in accordance with international standards including ASTM C518, JIS A1412, ISO 8301, and DIN EN 12667. By placing the sample between a heated plate and a cooled plate, the heat flow passing through the sample is measured to calculate thermal resistance and thermal conductivity.

Measurement Principle and System Design

The measurement principle is based on the steady-state Heat Flow Meter (HFM) method. The sample is fixed between two parallel plates, with one side maintained at a higher temperature and the other at a lower temperature. Once steady-state conditions are reached, the heat flow passing through the sample is measured by heat flow sensors. Thermal resistance and thermal conductivity are then calculated based on the sample thickness, temperature difference, and measured heat flow.

The HFM series adopts a dual heat flow sensor design to shorten measurement time and improve data stability:

Typical measurement time of approximately 15 minutes, ideal for high-throughput quality control (QC).
Plate temperatures are controlled by Peltier elements, allowing either isothermal or temperature difference operation.
Robust and stable system design ensures highly repeatable measurement results within a short time.

Key Features

High accuracy and repeatability: Repeatability better than 0.25%, accuracy approximately ±1–3%.
Robust and reliable system design: Suitable for long-term laboratory use and production-line testing.
Easy operation: Fully automated measurement procedure, suitable for routine QC operation.
Fast measurement: A standard QC test can be completed in approximately 15 minutes.
Standalone operation: Integrated measurement and data acquisition, operation possible without an external PC.
No cooling water required: Forced air cooling or an external chiller simplifies installation and maintenance.

Models and Technical Specifications

Item	HFM 200	HFM 300	HFM 600
Plate temperature range	0 to 90°C -20 to 90°C -40 to 90°C	0 to 90°C -20 to 90°C -35 to 90°C	-20 to 70°C
Cooling system	Forced air cooling or external chiller	Forced air cooling or external chiller	Forced air cooling or external chiller
Plate temperature control	Peltier elements	Peltier elements	Peltier elements
Data acquisition points	99	99	99
Maximum sample size	205 × 205 × 105 mm³	305 × 305 × 105 mm³	600 × 600 × 200 mm³
Thermal resistance range	0.2 to 8.0 m²·K/W (optional: 0.036 to 8.0 m²·K/W)	0.2 to 8.0 m²·K/W (optional: 0.036 to 8.0 m²·K/W)	0.2 to 8.0 m²·K/W (optional: 0.036 to 8.0 m²·K/W)
Thermal conductivity range	0.001 to 0.5 W/m·K (optional: 0.001 to 2.5 W/m·K)	0.001 to 0.5 W/m·K (optional: 0.001 to 2.5 W/m·K)	0.001 to 0.5 W/m·K (optional: 0.001 to 2.5 W/m·K)
Repeatability	0.25%	0.25%	0.25%
Accuracy	±1 to 3%	±1 to 3%	±1 to 3%
Adjustable contact pressure	0 to 25 kPa	0 to 25 kPa	0 to 25 kPa

*Extended measurement ranges require corresponding optional modules. Actual configuration can be adjusted according to test requirements.

Typical Applications

Applicable materials: Polymers, organic materials, ceramics, glass, building insulation materials, and other inorganic materials.

Industries:

Ceramics, building materials, and glass industries: insulation bricks, thermal insulation boards, and multilayer construction materials.
Automotive and aerospace industries: thermal insulation design for vehicle bodies and structural components.
Industrial R&D and academic research: thermal property measurement and model development.
Cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and food industries: evaluation of thermal properties of packaging and insulation materials.

Video introduction:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHCi3WNwnrA