A new method of measuring thermal contact conductance

The measurement of thermal contact conductance between forging work-material and tools is of interest to the assessment of temperature-change induced component-form errors derived during metal-forming operations and also to tool-life. Methods of measurement of the thermal contact conductance are reviewed and evaluated and a new steady-state methodology and equipment for the measurement of conductance are proposed. Experiments were conducted on thin cylindrical specimens retained under axial pressure between two tool surfaces. A clear advantage of this method is the ability to measure the conductance under continuously sustained thermal conditions and under pressures in excess of the yield strength of the work-material. Experimental results are provided and experimental errors are defined.