Accurate determination of anisotropic thermal properties is important for the assessment of the structural integrity of composite members. While the through-thickness thermal conductivity is easily determined using thermography, the inplane thermal conductivity is difficult to measure. This study deals with a new approach of determining the lateral thermal conductivity of carbon/epoxy composites laminates by analyzing the heat flow around a circular shadow in flash thermography. Experiments were performed using quasi-isotropic and unidirectional laminate to record transient heat flow pattern during the cooling period using flash thermography. The experiments were also simulated using finite element analysis for a range of lateral diffusivity values. Data thus obtained from experimental and numerical simulation were normalized using pre-established parameters and contour plots of temporal and radial variation for various thermal parameters around the shadow were obtained. The contour plots thus obtained from experimental analysis were then correlated with those from numerical analysis to determine actual in-plane diffusivity. Furthermore, correlation using logarithmic temperature gradient was observed to give relatable and efficient correlation factor than other parameters.
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