Thermal conductivity analysis using three‐dimensional microstructures of gelation freezing derived cellular mullite

The relationship between thermal conductivity and unidirectional cellular mullite microstructures created with the freeze casting route is discussed using actual three‐dimensional (3D) images, in which a homogenization method was conducted with microscopic models created from 3D images, the temperature variation in macroscopic models by the finite element method ( FEM ), and local heat conduction in microscopic models. The simulation results were consistent with the experimental results. This image‐based modeling technique was thus confirmed to be a strong tool for the prediction of various thermal properties of porous ceramics.