Measurement and Prediction of the Thermal Conductivity of Powders at High Temperatures

An equation for the prediction of the thermal conductivity of powder beds up to high temperatures is suggested by the authors. The predicted values by the equation are compared with the values of the thermal conductivity of alumina powder, magnesia powder and zirconia powder reported in the literature, and are found to be consistent. The predicted values by the equation are also compared with the measured values of the thermal conductivity of calcium hydroxyapatite powder, at various temPeratures, up to 500°C by the laser-heated method.