Heat transfer in a semitransparent medium

The problem of 1D radiative-conductive heat transfer in a homogeneous isotropic gray medium near a planar diffuse nontransparent surface and in between parallel plates with different temperatures has been solved analytically. Nonconvective measurements of the thermal resistance of parallel-plane polyethylene foam specimens versus the number of layers (i.e., thickness) have been taken, both without and with thin screens made of aluminum foil. The applicability of the suggested theoretical approach and experimental technique for the measurement of radiative heat transfer and heat transfer by conduction in light heat-protective materials has been demonstrated.