Using the Right Product

The TLS-100 is a portable meter designed to measure a material’s ability to conduct heat. This compact meter utilizes the Transient Line Source method, a well-established technique for measuring thermal conductivity and thermal resistivity. Purchasing the TLS-100 Kit includes:

• Controller for running tests, viewing and exporting results
• 100mm sensor for use in soils, pastes, powders and solids
• Weather resistant carrying case
• Nylon verification sample
• Contact paste
• Drill bits (x2) and needle sleeves (x3)
• 4 x AA lithium batteries
• Limited warranty on meter and sensor

The 100 mm sensor is fully inserted into the sample, and a measurement is initiated with a single button press using the TLS 100 portable meter. The results, showing thermal conductivity and thermal resistivity, are displayed within three minutes. This sensor is handy for preparing soil thermal dry-out curves, which involve measuring the thermal conductivity of soil samples at different moisture levels as they dry. This sensor is included when you purchase the TLS-100 Kit.

Application: Ideal for testing soil, soft materials, polymers, and easy-to-drill substances. 

Best For: Soil, pastes, powders, and solids. 

This 150 mm sensor extends the capabilities of the TLS-100 for in-depth analysis of soil and other soft materials. Like the 100 mm sensor, it provides quick and accurate results in 180 seconds. Used on larger samples of soils, pastes, powders, and solids at least 150mm tall and 50mm wide.

Application: Used for lab and field testing of soil and soft materials according to IEEE 442-2017. 

Best For: Soil, pastes, powders, and solids. 

The 50 mm sensor is perfect for materials that require more effort to penetrate, such as concrete and rock. The sensor is inserted into the sample using a masonry drill bit to create a 4 mm diameter x 50 mm deep hole. A thermal contact grease enhances the contact between the sensor and the sample for more accurate readings. Measurement is initiated with a single button press using the TLS 100 portable meter.

Application: Designed for harder samples like rock and concrete.
Best For: Concrete, rock, and polymers.

Thermtest’s Soil Sensor Pack was designed to measure the thermal properties of soft materials like soil and other easy to drill materials such as powders, pastes and polymers. The pack is equipped with a 100 mm TLS sensor, a verification sample, and a 2oz jar of thermal paste. It also contains tools for creating sample holes, including drill bits for drilling samples, poker tools for loose samples like soil, and needle sleeves for casting into materials. 

Application: Ideal for testing soil, soft materials, polymers, and easy-to-drill substances. 

Best For: Soil, pastes, powders, and solids. 

Thermtest’s Rock Sensor Pack was designed to measure the thermal properties of rigid materials such as rock and concrete. The kit comes with a 50 mm TLS sensor, a verification sample, 2oz of thermal paste, and two masonry drill bits for drilling sample holes. The sensor's short length and larger diameter is optimized for easy drilling, making sample preparation easy.  

Application: Designed for harder samples like rock and concrete. 

Best For: Concrete, rock, and polymers.