Yovanovich M.M. Recent developments in thermal contact, gap and joint conductance theories and experiment

IN: Heat transfer 1986; Proceedings of the Eighth International Conference, San Francisco, CA, Aug. 17-22, 1986. Volume 1 (A87-30676 12-34). Washington, DC, Hemisphere Publishing Corp., 1986, p. 35-45. NSERC-supported research.Abstract: Thermal contact, gap and joint conductance models developed for point and line contacts as well as conforming rough surfaces are reviewed and up-dated. The theory is compared with recently obtained experimental values. The agreement between the model predictions and the experimental results are very good to excellent for the point contacts and the conforming rough models. The significant discrepancies observed at light loads in the line contacts are attributed to errors in form (crowning). The differences in the conforming rough model at light loads are due to several factors; the major one being high local strains due to very large local temperature gradients.
Keywords: Heat Transfer, Solid-Solid Interfaces, Thermal Conductivity, Thermal Resistance, Heat Transfer Coefficients, Surface Roughness, Temperature Distribution, Thermal Conductors