Determination of the convective heat transfer coefficient

Abstract

The value of the convective heat transfer coefficient (htc) is determined under different loading conditions by using a computer aided method. The thermal load has been applied mathematically as well as experimentally to the coronal surface of an axisymmetric tooth model. To verify the assumptions made for the mathematical tooth model, the results predicted with this model were compared with those of an experiment using mercury as the tooth surrounding medium. For all the other thermal loading conditions the medium water has been used. During the experiments the temperatures were recorded at one point within the resin model. The temperatures within the theoretical model have been calculated according to the FEA. Comparison of the calculated data with the experimental recordings led firstly to a verification of the theoretical model, and secondly to a htc-value of 5.104 J/m2s°C. From the findings of this study it can be concluded that this value of the htc satisfies for the experimental conditions used. However, additional in vivo experiments will be needed to verity the htc-value during the consumption of liquids.