Thermal testing laboratory

Accurate knowledge of the thermal properties of materials is the first step toward improving product reliability, performance, and sustainability. At Certimac, we carry out thermal analyses, thermophysical testing, and advanced thermo-hygrometric characterisation to support manufacturers in the construction sector, industry, and high-technology fields.
THERMAL TESTS
What is thermal analysis of materials and why it is essential for manufacturers
Thermal analysis investigates how materials behave when subjected to temperature variations, assessing key parameters such as thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, specific heat capacity, and the response to heat transfer phenomena including phase transitions, polymerisation, and crosslinking. These properties are not merely technical values; they form the foundation of performance, safety, and durability of any product -especially in the construction, energy, advanced manufacturing, and composite materials sectors.

Accurate knowledge of the thermal properties of materials makes it possible to:
  • accelerate the development of new materials by reducing testing, prototyping, and iteration time and costs;
  • improve quality, performance, and long-term durability through comprehensive scientific characterisation;
  • optimise production processes by fine-tuning temperatures, cycle times, and energy consumption;
  • enable innovation and new functionalities, such as high-performance insulation, materials with thermal energy storage capacity, and advanced composite systems.
    • Division
    materials
    Ask our expert
    Eng. Giulia De Aloysio, PhD
    Thermophysical analysis of materials and energy efficiency specialist

    Which thermal properties do we measure in our laboratories?

    At Certimac, we approach each thermophysical analysis by transforming precise measurements into concrete decision-making tools. Beyond measuring insulation parameters, we study how materials respond, adapt, and interact with real operating conditions in their intended environment.

    Thanks to advanced instrumentation - integrated with numerical simulations and thermo-energy modelling - we provide manufacturers with a comprehensive and predictive view of material thermal behaviour throughout the entire life cycle. This enables in-depth analysis of, among other aspects:
      Thermal resistance represents a material’s ability to oppose the flow of heat through it. It is determined by heat flow meter methods using instruments compliant with international standards, ensuring reliable and reproducible measurements.

      This parameter is central to assessing the insulating effectiveness of a material and its thermal stability under different operating conditions. Measurement is based on detecting the heat flux through the specimen, a key element in describing insulating behaviour and supporting design and production decisions based on objective data.
      Thermal conductivity describes a material’s tendency to transmit heat through its mass. Measurement is performed using guarded hot plate or guarded ring equipment, a technology that reduces lateral heat losses and improves data accuracy, enabling analyses over a wide temperature range (typically up to around 300 °C).

      Thermal conductivity is an essential parameter for predicting the performance of insulation materials, building systems, and components subject to significant temperature variations.
      Thermal diffusivity indicates how quickly a temperature change propagates within a material. It is determined using Light Flash Analysis, an absolute, transient, and non-destructive method that provides high accuracy even at elevated temperatures, up to approximately 1250 °C.

      Diffusivity is particularly relevant for materials used in high-temperature applications or exposed to intense thermal cycling, where the speed of thermal response is critical.
    Specific heat capacity is determined by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and quantifies the energy required to raise the temperature of a unit mass of material by one degree. This parameter allows assessment of a material’s ability to absorb and release thermal energy - crucial information for applications involving energy storage, thermal efficiency, and use in high-temperature industrial environments.

    DSC analysis also identifies thermal phenomena such as the glass transition temperature, which is essential for characterising polymers and composite materials. Combined with sample mass, specific heat contributes to defining heat capacity, i.e. the total amount of energy the material can store.
    The thermal resistance test determines a construction product’s ability to resist heat transfer. It is performed using heat flow meter techniques, measuring thermal resistance (R) expressed in m²·K/W.

    The thermal resistance test for construction products with medium and high insulating capacity is accredited in accordance with UNI CEI EN ISO/IEC 17025 by ACCREDIA, the Italian accreditation body. This ensures that measurements are carried out according to international standards, providing reliable, repeatable, and Europe-wide recognised results.
    Notified scope (for CE marking purposes)
    Test standard: EN 12667:2001

    Regulatory reference: European Commission Decision 1999/91/EC, within the framework of Regulation (EU) No 305/2011 (CPR – Construction Products Regulation)

    Products (matrices): construction materials with an insulating function, homogeneous or multilayer, intended for thermal insulation

    Scope of application: the test determines the thermal resistance (R) of the material using heat flow meter techniques on samples with values ranging from 0.5 to 10 m²·K/W.
    Voluntary scope (quality control and applied research)
    Test standard: UNI EN 12667:2002

    Products (matrices): construction insulation materials, including those not intended for CE marking

    Scope of application: the test characterises the thermal resistance of materials for product development, internal quality control, or comparison of technical solutions. It can also support energy design activities or the technical qualification of innovative materials.

    Thermal analysis for construction materials

    Thermal testing of construction materials and industrial components makes it possible to characterise compact, porous, fibrous, or layered materials, assessing their behaviour in relation to heat and moisture. At the Certimac thermal testing laboratory, both building envelope materials - insulation products, mineral elements, coatings, composites - and functional components and systems for thermal energy management are tested.

    Methodologies are adapted to the physical nature of each material, ensuring rigorous, comparable data that can be transferred to design, R&D, and certification processes for thermal properties.

    As an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory and a Notified Body for CE marking, we provide internationally recognised measurements, including tests according to UNI EN ISO 6946. This ensures manufacturers receive complete technical documentation and verifiable regulatory compliance—decisive elements for access to:
  • Conto Termico 3.0
  • Energy efficiency tax incentives
  • Innovation and sustainability programmes

    • High Performance Composite Materials

    Find out what Certimac has achieved in the field of ceramic composite materials and the results of its successful collaboration with ENEA

    READ THE CASE STUDY

    Thermal performance: solutions for high-technology sectors

    Thermal analyses are also applied in numerous industrial sectors where thermal performance is critical. Examples include:
    Automotive: optimisation of components and materials for heat management in vehicles, improving safety, efficiency, and durability.
    Aerospace / Nanosatellites: development of high-performance materials capable of withstanding extreme stresses (structural components, protective coatings, thermal insulation).
    Advanced and high-tech composite materials: characterisation of key thermal properties for industrial, energy, and electronic applications (e.g. high-performance fibre composites).
    Biomedical: development of safe and reliable devices and materials under specific operating conditions (thermal management in medical devices, thermal biocompatibility, etc.).
    Thanks to in-depth knowledge of materials and instrumentation, and experience gained by testing over 1,000 different materials, we offer consolidated expertise across multiple industrial sectors. This ensures precise, applicable data that supports innovation, quality, and sustainability even in complex technological contexts.

    Why choose Certimac?

    Rigorous evaluation of material thermal properties is a decisive step in ensuring performance, reliability, and regulatory compliance.

    Certimac combines solid scientific expertise, advanced instrumentation, and extensive experience in thermal characterisation of materials. We provide not only accurate measurements, but also technical interpretations that are directly useful for design and industrial decision-making.
    + ACCREDITATION AND INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION
    ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory by ACCREDIA and Notified Body for CE marking, with certified test data recognised internationally. This ensures manufacturers obtain complete technical documentation and verifiable regulatory compliance, representing a key competitive advantage.
    + COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT
    From needs analysis to laboratory testing and delivery of test reports and technical-scientific documentation, we support companies at every stage. We also provide assistance in identifying funding opportunities and calls for innovation projects, facilitating access to resources for new product development.
    + SCIENTIFIC COLLABORATIONS
    Our partnerships with organisations such as ENEA and CNR allow us to continuously monitor national and international regulatory and scientific developments. We guarantee testing based on advanced methodologies and state-of-the-art laboratory instrumentation.

    Request a consultation

    Do you want to characterise the thermal properties of your materials, verify regulatory compliance, or optimise product performance?

    Certimac experts are available to analyse your case and define the most suitable testing pathway—from methodology selection to full interpretation of results.

    Fill in the form below to request a consultation.

    Thermal testing FAQ

      Thermal conductivity, thermal resistance, diffusivity, and heat capacity directly determine material performance, safety, and durability. These properties affect insulation effectiveness, long-term thermal stability, energy management, and response to thermal cycles and external stresses - critical aspects for building envelopes, insulation materials, advanced composites, and industrial components.

      Accurate thermophysical measurements provide the data needed for numerical simulations to predict real material behaviour, optimise design and production processes, and reduce risks, costs, and development time through science-based technical decisions.
      ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation ensures measurements are carried out according to internationally recognised standards, with metrological traceability, repeatability, and impartiality.

      For manufacturers, this means obtaining test reports valid for CE marking, CPR compliance, and access to incentives such as Conto Termico and tax deductions.
    Applications include construction, automotive (component thermal management), aerospace/nanosatellites (high-performance materials), biomedical (devices with specific thermal constraints), and high-tech composite materials.

    Thermal analysis supports innovation, quality control, and the development of materials with high performance requirements.
    The EN 12667 test measures thermal resistance (R) using heat flow meter techniques on homogeneous or multilayer insulation materials, with values ranging from 0.5 to 10 m²·K/W. Certimac performs both accredited tests for CE marking and voluntary tests for R&D, technical comparison, and qualification of innovative materials.
      Certimac performs advanced thermal analyses - conductivity, diffusivity, thermal resistance, and specific heat - integrated with numerical simulations and ISO/IEC 17025 accredited methods, ensuring data suitable for design, R&D, and certification (UNI EN 12667, UNI EN 12664, ASTM E 1461, UNI EN ISO 6946).

      Measurements go beyond parameter determination and include technical interpretations directly applicable to industrial processes.

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