A modified evaluation method to reduce finite pulse time effects in flash diffusivity measurement

A modified evaluation method for laser flash is proposed. In this method, the moment of laser-heating cutoff time is considered as zero point. The penetration depth and formula equation of the sample temperature distribution are obtained with the approximate analytical solution before time zero (during laser heating) for the physical model of a continuously heated half-infinite, well-distributed sample. The weighted-average and approximate-equation methods are then used to quantitatively determine the laser effect depth, which leads to the formulation of a modified evaluation method in flash thermal diffusivity measurement. Results of the simulation calculations and experiments confirm the correctness of the modified method, which remarkably increases flash method applications. The modified method is applicable only to cases in which δ(x) does not exceed the sample thickness (√(12ατ0)≤L) during laser heating.