Need help to explain the peak of thermal conductivity

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around an observed peak in the thermal conductivity of stainless steel 304L at low temperatures, specifically around 190K. Participants explore potential explanations for this phenomenon, considering both experimental data and theoretical implications.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents experimental data indicating that the thermal conductivity of stainless steel 304L is unexpectedly high at low temperatures, particularly at 190K, and questions the reasons behind this peak.
  • Another participant expresses uncertainty about the existence of such peaks in thermal conductivity and suggests that the lack of responses may indicate a broader unfamiliarity with the phenomenon.
  • A different participant raises a concern about the numerical integration algorithm used in the calculations, suggesting that it could be a source of error, especially given the low temperature of 190K.
  • One participant proposes the possibility that the peak could be related to phase change temperatures of gases present in the experimental environment.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not appear to reach a consensus on the cause of the observed peak in thermal conductivity, with multiple competing views and uncertainties remaining regarding the validity of the data and potential explanations.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the assumptions made about the experimental setup, the potential influence of impurities, and the behavior of materials at low temperatures, which remain unresolved.

sunmaggot
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Progress
This is the experimental data of thermal conductivity of stainless steel 304L at low temperature. The data is calculated with the Fourier's law of thermal conduction. I checked many times in the excel file and I confirmed that there is no mistake in the calculation. The parameters are also correct. What I see in here is that the sample used has much higher thermal conductivity than it should be. I compared with different reference and they all show that at 300K, the K should not exceed 16. So I concluded that this sample has below standard impurities level.

Problem
However, there is a strange peak at around 190K. That data is not one data. I did around 9 data at that point and it shows that the K is really higher than the nearby data point. Then I need to explain this peak. I tried to relate this with the thermal conductivity of the chemical composition. However, the position of the peak is at 190K. The change in thermal conductivity for different material should not be vigorous at this temperature. How can I possibly explain such phenomenon?
 

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I'm sorry you're not getting answers. I don't know of any such peaks.
 
I don't understand why you are so sure it is not a problem of the algorithm you used to integrate numerically the diff. equation. I'm not an expert, but 190K is a very low temperature... I don't see how any properties (thermal conductivity, heat capacity, viscousness...) should behave like that. I would try to change the algorithm.

If it is real though, there must be a very cool explanation! Hope you'll come up with something!
 
Is 190K near a phase change temperature of any gasses in the experimental environment?
 

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