Contact heat transfer - The last decade

Thermal contact conductance should be high in such applications as nuclear reactors, gas tubines, aircraft structural joints, etc.; when mechanically strong insulation is required, by contrast, as in the storage of cryogenic liquids, contact resistance must be as high as possible. Attention is presently given to the results obtained since 1970 by theoretical and experimental studies of conduction through contact spots and through interstitial materials. Special problems that are introduced by the geometry of contact, load cycling, and heat flux, are also discussed. Recommendations are made concerning the most fruitful directions for future investigation.