SRM 1460 Series as a Thermal Diffusivity Standard for Laser Flash Instruments

The specific heat and thermal expansion (⇒ bulk density) of the SRM 1460 series austenitic stainless steel have been measured with the intent of converting this material to a thermal diflusivity standard. These data, along with the recommended NIST values of thermal conductivity, were used to compute the thermal diflusivity between −100 and 875°C. The estimated uncertainties in the computed thermal diffusivity values are 3.9% between −100 and 25°C and 5.6% above 25°C. In addition, the thermal diffusivity was measured directly and compared with the computed data. The deviations between the two data sets are generally less than 3.0% between 50 and 850°C.