3. Heat Conduction with Multiple Resistances

Heat Conduction with Multiple Resistances

  • Composites are formed by bringing together into close contact distinct materials. The material properties of the assembly change discontinuously at the contact surface. Also, the mechanical conditions of the contact at the interface affect the rate at which energy flows across it.

  • The idea of thermal resistance is a useful tool for analyzing conduction through composite members.

The idea of resistance was already introduced and discussed for conduction.

The same approach can be used for convection as well, as below: \[Q = hA(T_s-T_\infty) = \frac{(T_s-T_\infty)}{R}\] where \[R = \frac{1}{hA}\]