R.A.

9299 Republic of the Philippines June 25, 2004

NEGROS ORIENTAL STATE

UNIVERSITY
NOHS (1907) I NOTS (1927) I EVSAT (1956) I CVPC (1983)
Kagawasan Ave., Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Philippines
6200
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND
ARCHITECTURE
Main Campus II, Bajumpandan, Dumaguete City 6200

Material Science and

Engineering: Thermal
Properties

ENS 342 – Section C

Engr. Johann Heinrich Malongo

Submitted by:
Abing, Reu Jun Y.
Caballes, Jamel Y.
Gulahab, Louise Vincent C.
Lero, Clark C.
Senador, Raymund A.
 Introduction:

A property of matter which exhibited by objects when heat passes through them is called Thermal

Properties. The Thermal Properties of the materials are observed when a solid body absorbed the energy

from the heat. There are components of thermal properties that we need to observe; thermal capacity or

the heat capacity indicates a material’s ability to absorb heat from external surroundings, it represents the

amount of energy required to produce a unit temperature rise. When a shape of a material changes from

its original when heat passes through it is called Thermal Expansion. Not all materials are conductors of

heat, if an object conducts heat we can check its Thermal Conductivity. Another component of thermal

properties has the potential to destroy a material is called thermal stress.

Course Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the Chapter, the students are expected to learn about Thermal Properties, why it is important,

and what the components of the thermal properties are and how it works.

Contents of the Module:

This module contains the following topics:

Topic 1: Thermal Properties

Topic 2: Thermal Capacity

Topic 3: Thermal Expansion

Topic 4: Thermal Conductivity

Topic 5: Thermal Stress

Topic 1 – Thermal Properties Specific Learning Outcomes:

The objective of this topic is to educate the students regarding the thermal properties and how is it

important to the society especially mechanical engineering students.

Motivation/Prompting Questions:

What is the importance of Thermal Properties? As mechanical engineering student? Why do we need as a

mechanical engineering to study the thermal properties of an object?

Discussion:

One of the properties of a material is Thermal Properties. So, the question is why mechanical

Engineering Student need to study the thermal properties of a material. So to begin with, it is necessary for

engineers to take time to consider choosing material in designing so that no unexpected failure occurs.

According to Materials Science and Engineering: An Introduction 9th Edition by William D. Callister and

David G. Rethwisch, Thermal Properties is the response of a material to the application of heat. The

thermal properties of a material are one of the most important characteristic to consider in project design.

We need to learn what the four components of the thermal properties are. First component is the Heat

Capacity or Thermal Capacity; it indicates a material’s ability to absorb heat from external surroundings.

Second is the Thermal Expansion, indicates the tendency of a material to change its shape, area, density

and volume in response to a change in temperature. The third one is the thermal conductivity of a material

is a measure of its ability to conduct heat. The last component of the Thermal Properties is the thermal

stress; external force applied to the body leading to any kind of deformity occurs due to alteration in

temperature.

Learning Activities/Exercises:

For the activities, we need to define thermal properties on our own understanding. Why is it important to

study thermal properties as a mechanical engineering student?

Practice Task/Assessment:

The task for the students is to define or give a brief description about the components of thermal

properties.

Feedback to Assessment:

1. Thermal Capacity - it indicates a material’s ability to absorb heat from external surroundings.

2. Thermal Expansion – indicates the tendency of a material to change its shape, area, density

and volume in response to a change in temperature

3. Thermal Conductivity – material is a measure of its ability to conduct heat.

4. Thermal Stress - external force applied to the body leading to any kind of deformity occurs

due to alteration in temperature

Assignment:

For the assignment, give a sample of machine that can determine the thermal properties of a material.

Topic 3 – Thermal Expansion

Specific Learning Outcomes:

The objective of this is to analyze the effects of thermal expansion on structures and materials and identify

methods for minimizing these effects.

Motivation/Prompting Questions:

What are the effects of Thermal Expansion on structures and materials? And how to minimize these

effects?

Discussion:

Thermal Expansion is a natural phenomenon that can cause significant damage to structures and materials

if not properly addressed during the design and construction process. Engineers and designers can

minimize the effects of thermal expansion by selecting materials with similar coefficient of thermal
expansion, designing structures with expansion joints, and using insulation to reduce temperature changes.

Learning activity/exercises:

For this activity, we need to learn thermal expansion and its importance to us as mechanical engineering

students.

Practice Task/Assessment:

Tha task for the student is to give the other effects of thermal expansion on materials.

Feedback to assessment:

Thermal Expansion – is the change in size of an object as its temperature changes.

Assignment:

Give at least 3 methods to minimize the effects of Thermal Expansion on structure and materials.

Topic 4 – Thermal Conductivity

Specific Learning Outcomes:

The learning objective of this topic is to enrich student’s idea about thermal conductivity and its process

and formulas specifically mechanical engineering students whom specialty is about material science.

Motivation/Prompting Questions:

Were you wondering when your feet touch the bathroom tiles feels colder than touching the mat?

Why do we use cloth gloves when we go to a cold place or even use kitchen gloves when handling hot pots

when we cook at home? Why is thermal conductivity a topic we mechanical engineers need to study?
Discussion

One topic on thermal properties is about thermal conductivity. According to Material Science and

Engineering: An Introduction Tenth Edition by William D. Callister and David G. Rethwisch, Thermal

conductivity is the characteristic that describes a material’s capacity to transfer heat. Thermal conduction is

the process by which heat is transferred from high- to low-tempertature areas of a substance. It is best

defined in terms of the expression:

Where:
q= Heat flux (W/m2 (Btu/ft2*h))
k= thermal conductivity (W/m*K (Btu/ft*h*°F))
dT/dx= temperature gradient

This formula is only valid on steady-state heat flow where heat flux does not change with time.

Both free electrons and lattice vibration waves (phonons) can carry heat through solid materials. Each of

these mechanisms has a corresponding thermal conductivity, and the total conductivity is the sum of the

two contributions, or k=kl + ke , where kl and ke represents the lattice vibration and electron thermal

conductivities. Lattice waves or phonons carry thermal energy that travels in the direction of the waves'

motion. The net flow of phonons from high- to low-temperature areas of a body with a temperature

gradient causes the kl contribution. Electronic heat conduction involves free or conducting electrons. The

free electrons in a heated area of the specimen receive an increase in kinetic energy. They then move to

colder regions where, as a result of collisions with phonons or other crystal flaws, some of this kinetic

energy is transferred to the atoms (as vibrational energy). Because there are more accessible electrons to

take part in this heat transfer mechanism, the relative contribution of k e to the total thermal conductivity

rises as free electron concentrations rise. Hence, objects with high electrical conductivity will conduct

more heat. Metals are great conductor of electricity and is also a good conductor of heat unlike ceramics

and polymers which are insulators of electricity.

Learning Activities/Exercises:

For the learners, define thermal conductivity with what you’ve learned on this lesson. For

exercises, provide experiences (at least 4) with thermal conductivity that you encounter in your daily life.

Practice Task/Assessment:

1-2. What are the two mechanisms which can carry heat through solid materials?

3. Give an example of an obeject which is a good conductor of heat.

4. Explain the relativity of electrical conductivity of an object to its thermal conductivity.

Feedback to Assessment:

1. lattice vibrations waves (phonons)

2. free electrons

3. Metals

4. An object with great electrical conductivity is also a good conductor of heat this is due to the

free electrons and latice vibration waves the material possess that can pass the energy more quickly.

Assignment:

Create a video (at least 3 minutes) showing objects in your house that conducts heat more and

conducts heat less.

Topic 5 – Thermal Stress

Specific Learning Outcomes:

The objective of this is to analyze the effects of thermal stress on structures and materials.
Motivation/Prompting Questions:

What are the effects of Thermal Stress on structures and materials?

Discussion:

Thermal stress are stresses induced in a body as a result of changes in temperature. There are 3 types of

thermal stress: (1) Stress resulting from restrained thermal expansion and contraction, (2) Stress resulting

from temperature gradients and (3) thermal shock of brittle materials. Thermal stresses, which are

introduced in a body as a consequence of temperature changes, may lead to fracture or undesirable plastic

deformation. The two prime sources of thermal stresses are restrained thermal expansion (or contraction)

and temperature gradients established during heating or cooling. Thermal shock is the fracture of a body

resulting from thermal stresses induced by rapid temperature changes. Because ceramic materials are

brittle, they are especially susceptible to this type of failure. The thermal shock resistance of many

materials is proportional to the fracture strength and thermal conductivity, and inversely proportional to

both the modulus of elasticity and the coefficient of thermal expansion.

Learning activity/exercises:

For the learners, define thermal stress with what you’ve learned on this lesson. For exercises, provide

experiences (at least 2) with thermal stress that you encounter in your daily life.
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