TRIDENT
1 instrument, 3 methods for thermal conductivity
(It's better to have options.)
Configure with multiple sensor options
"When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail." The adage rings true in thermal conductivity characterization. It’s better to have options. Trident unleashes the power of three different transient methods with the ultimate toolbox for thermal conductivity measurement. MTPS, TPS and TLS all in one modular package. Choose the right tool for your samples. Choice is good.
MTPS
Fast, easy, and highly accurate. A single-sided, “plug & play” sensor suitable for testing solids, liquids, powders and pastes. Offers maximum sample versatility. Conforms to ASTM D7984.
TLS NEEDLE
Sheathed in stainless steel, the TLS Needle sensor offers maximum robustness in thermal conductivity testing. Conforms to ASTM D5334 and D5930.
FLEX TPS
A flexible double-sided sensor available in different sizes. Greater control over experimental parameters makes TPS ideal for more advanced users. Conforms to ISO 22007-2 and GB/T 32064.
How it Works
C-Therm's Trident system offers three different modes of operation in measuring the thermal conductivity of materials. The MTPS high precision method is the simplest and most versatile. The TLS Needle method provides maximum robustness for those sticky situations. The Flex TPS method provides the greatest flexibility over experimental parameters with C-Therm's flex sensors. Learn more about how each method works below.
- MTPS
- TLS Needle
- Flex TPS

Modified Transient Plane Source (MTPS)
Simple and Precise. The MTPS method employs a single-sided sensor to directly measure thermal conductivity and effusivity of materials. The MTPS method has the highest precision, highest sensitivity, shortest test time, and is the easiest to use among all three techniques.

Transient Line Source (TLS) Needle
The TLS method employs a needle probe to characterize the thermal conductivity of viscous and granular materials. It is the most robust sensor for thermal conductivity testing.

Transient Plane Source (TPS) Flex
The TPS method employs a double-sided hot disc sensor to simultaneously determine thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity and specific heat capacity of materials from a single measurement. TPS provides the user the greatest flexibility and control over experimental parameters and avoids the use of any contact agents. Recommended for more experienced users.
Specifications
Test Methods | MTPS | TLS Needle | Flex TPS | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Recommended applications | Aerogels, Automotive, Batteries, Composites, Insulation, Explosives, Geological, Liquids, Metals, Nanomaterials, Metal Hydrides, Nuclear, Phase Change Materials (PCMs), Polymers, Rubber, Thermal Interface Materials (TIMs), Thermoelectric | Polymer Melts, Semi-Solids, & Soil.
(Not suitable for lower viscosity fluids due to convection.) |
Cement/Concrete, Metal Sheets, Polymers, Porous Ceramics, & Thin Films | |
Thermal Conductivity Range | 0 to 500 W/mK | 0.1 to 6 W/mK | 0 to 2 000 W/mK | |
Thermal Diffusivity Range | 0 to 300 mm²/s* | Not applicable | up to 1 200 mm²/s | |
Heat Capacity Range | up to 5 MJ/m³K* | Not applicable | up to 5 MJ/m³K | |
Thermal Effusivity Range | 5 to 40 000 Ws½/m²K | Not applicable | Not applicable | |
|
-50 ºC to 200 ºC
With option to extend to 500ºC |
-55 ºC to 180 ºC
With option to extend to 300 ºC |
-50º to 300ºC | |
Precision | Better than 1 % | Better than 3 % | Better than 2 % | |
Accuracy | Better than 5 % | Stated for 20 °C ± (3 % + 0,02) W/mK |
Better than 5 % | |
Test Time | De 0,8 to 3 seconds | 1 to 4 minutes | 10 to 180 seconds | |
Sensor Size | 18 mm diameter | 150 mm length | Capteurs de 6 mm, 13 mm and 30 mm diameter sensors available | |
Minimum Sample Size | Solids : Min. diameter of 18 mm Min. thickness is dependent on the thermal conductivity. For materials under 1 W/mK a min. thickness of 1 mm is suggested.
Liquids & Powders : |
80 mL | Requires two identical samples.
The diameter of the samples should be 2.5X sensor diameter (e.g. 6 mm sensor requires sample diameter of 15 mm) Thickness should be at minimum the same diameter as the sensor (e.g. 6 mm sensor requires 6 mm thick samples). |
|
Maximum Sample Size |
Unlimited |
Unlimited |
Unlimited |
|
International Standards | ASTM D7984 | ASTM D5334, D5930, and IEEE 442-1981 | ISO 22007-2, GB/T 32064 | |
*calculated |
Software
The C-Therm software is developed for the Trident system to control all 3 sensor types. The software is highly user-friendly and easy to navigate. It provides full data acquisition and analysis in one software.
