Transient Heat Conduction in Semi-Infinite Solids with Temperature Dependent Properties

Similarity solutions are obtained for the transient heat conduction in a semi-infinite solid with temperature-dependent thermal properties. The surface of the solid is considered subjected to a time-varying boundary condition, either heat flux Q sub w = a t to the bth power or temperature T sub w = t sub 0(1 + t to the b*th power). Solutions for the temperature distribution and the local heat flux are presented. In particular, type 420 stainless steel, whose thermal properties are strong functions of temperature, was chosen for analysis to demonstrate the significance of the effect of the temperature dependence of thermal properties on heat transfer calculations. Keywords: Transient heat conduction; Semi-infinite solid; Temperature dependent properties; Time varying boundary condition; Similarity transformation; Similarity solution.