8.5.2 Thermal Conductivity as a Function of Temperature

You can also choose to define the thermal conductivity as a function of temperature . Three types of functions are available:

• piecewise-linear:

  
  

  
  

• piecewise-polynomial:

  
  

  $$\mbox{for} \; T_{{\rm min},1} \leq T < T_{{\rm max},1}: \; k (T) = A_1 + A_2 T + A_3 T^2 + ...$$ (8.5-2)

  $$\mbox{for} \; T_{{\rm min},2} \leq T < T_{{\rm max},2}: \; k (T) = B_1 + B_2 T + B_3 T^2 + ...$$ (8.5-3)

  
  

• polynomial:

  
  

  
  

You can input the data pairs ( $T_n, k_n$), ranges and coefficients $A_i$ and $B_i$, or coefficients $A_i$ that describe these functions using the Create/Edit Materials dialog box, as described in Section  8.2.