Trident Thermal Conductivity Application Highlight: Thermal Conductivity Measurements of Hair and the Influence of Thermal Protectants
December 2025
in “
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
”
TLDR Thermal protectants help reduce hair damage from heat styling.
The document discusses the measurement of thermal conductivity in human hair using the Modified Transient Plane Source (MTPS) method, focusing on the impact of thermal treatments and protectants. Hair styling often involves thermal, mechanical, and chemical processes that can damage the hair's cuticle, leading to the conversion of α-keratin to the weaker β-keratin, resulting in reduced elasticity and increased susceptibility to damage. The study highlights the importance of understanding thermal properties like thermal conductivity and heat capacity to mitigate the negative effects of heat treatments on hair.