Effect of thickness and chemical composition on thermal resistance of steel dilatometric specimens under heating‐cooling cycles by Joule heating

Abstract The effect of thickness and chemical composition on the electrical power and thermal resistance of dilatometric specimens heated by Joule heating are analyzed in different steels, using stepped tests of constant temperature and electrical current. In the stepped constant temperature tests, the electric current necessary to maintain the target temperature in a specific time is measured, while in the electric current tests the electrical current is maintained until the maximum temperature stabilizes. The results show that the electrical power behaves linearly with the thickness associated with the transfer area, while the thermal resistance behaves potentially; both values depend on the chemical composition due to electrical resistivity. The steels with a higher concentration of alloying elements have a better response to Joule heating. However, thickness is the parameter that most influences electrical power due to changes in transfer area and electrical current density, as well as in the mass of the specimen to be heated. Finally, based on the results obtained, predictions are realized for the design of thicker specimens, maintaining the observed behavior; i. e., as the thickness of the specimen increases, the increase in electrical power and thermal resistance is maintained.