Electronic edition ISSN 1574-0579

Investigation of the effect of a magnetic field on the thermal conductivity in magnetic fluids

M. Krichler , S. Odenbach

Chair of Magnetofluiddynamics, Measuring and Automation Technology, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany

Abstract
In this contribution, we report about the anisotropy of the heat transport in magnetic fluids under the impact of external uniform magnetic fields. We made thermal conductivity measurements in two ferrofluids of different magnetic volume fractions by a planar measurement device. The measurements were made at various magnetic field strengths of H = 0 − 40 kA/m, whereas the magnetic field direction was oriented either parallel or perpendicular to the heat flux. The results agree qualitatively with a theoretical prediction [1]. The fluid with the larger amount of magnetic matter shows also a larger relative change in thermal conductivity in the presence of a magnetic field. Figs 3, Refs 9.