Wave heat transfer in anisotropic space with nonlinear characteristics

An analytical solution to the problem of heat transfer in anisotropic space, the thermal conductivity tensor components of which depend on temperature, is obtained for the first time. Heat transfer was initiated by a pulsed point thermal energy source. It was found that the heat transfer is of the wave type with a finite propagation rate of the thermal wave front, although the heat conduction equation is of a parabolic type. Cases of different powerlaw temperature dependences of the thermal conductivity tensor components were investigated. It was shown that the thermal wave fronts have the shape of ellipsoids (in space) or ellipses (in plane). The results can be used to analyze the heat exchange in composites under laser irradiation.