The thermophysical properties of a system are defined by Klein (1980) as "…those properties, which measure the response of the system to thermal and mechanical stimuli. These include both the thermodynamic properties (which describe the change of the system between initial and final equilibrium states) and the transport properties (which describe the flow of heat or material resulting from a steady departure from equilibrium)." For building heat-transfer processes, the important thermophysical properties are thermal conductivity, specific heat and density. Thermal conductivity is used in steady-state and transient heat-transfer analysis of building envelope assemblies (walls, windows, doors, roofs, ceilings floors, slabs, etc.) and industrial insulation systems (piping, heat exchangers, furnaces, refrigeration equipment, etc.). Specific heat and density are important in the transient heat-transfer analysis of the above systems. ASHRAE Technical Committee 4.4 recognized the need for reliable, documented thermophysical property data for current building envelope steady-state and transient heat-transfer and industrial insulation system heat-transfer computer programs. Without accurate thermophysical data, the output from these programs would be less useful in the design process.

Section 2 of this report contains information from the original project team report, including background on the project objectives, a brief discussion of the physics of thermal properties, and some of the historical development of the current information in the HOF.

Sections 3 and 4 have the current tables, with a discussion of new material data, in inch-pound and SI units, respectively. Some recommendations for new products or revisions to existing data are also included.

Section 5 includes a summary of recommendations for new testing and data required for products not currently covered in the HOF.

Appendices A and B contain existing and new criteria, respectively, for inclusion of data in the Handbook of Fundamentals.

Units: Dual