Heat conduction across interface between two materials. Part II: weak conducting interface

Abstract

Heat is a form of energy transferred from one system to another due to temperature differences. Heat transfer occurs from a higher temperature system to a lower temperature system. The three primary modes of heat transfer are Conduction, Convection, and Radiation. Conduction requires two mediums in direct contact with each other, and energy is transferred from one particle of one medium to another. Convection is the movement of fluids between two regions due to the temperature difference. Thermal Radiation does not require any medium, heat energy from radiation is transmitted through electromagnetic waves.

This report will focus on two-dimensional heat conduction between two dissimilar materials across a weak conducting interface. Dissimilar materials have a big difference in their electrical potential and are joined together by welding. Damages occur in the interface of this material, such as cracks and corrosion, which could result in the material being weak conducting. The first part of the report will be a detailed literature review of the problem involving heat conduction on a perfect and weak conduction surface, and the second part of the report will look at a series of solutions for steady-state heat conduction for two dissimilar metals using Finite Element Method and an computer analysis of these solutions using MATLAB and Excel.