MIL-PRF-83282 Thermal Diffusivity Chart

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MIL-PRF-83282 thermal diffusivity vs temperature in degrees F, compared with MIL-PRF-5606

Derived as α = k/(ρ·cp) at ambient pressure from the NADC-79248-60 density, specific heat and thermal conductivity fits. Range: 100.4 °F to 399.2 °F (38 °C to 204 °C). Nothing is extrapolated.

Markers are the four tabulated values (derived from the measured Tables 2, 7 and 8 at 38, 93, 149 and 204 °C) for the 1980 NADC reference lot of MIL-H-83282 (lot and revision not stated). The blue MIL-PRF-5606 series is derived the same way from the MIL-H-83282 columns, over the same 100–399 °F (38–204 °C) range.

Data from: NADC-79248-60 (Conte & Hammond, 1980), DTIC ADA081597, Tables 2, 7 and 8 (measured, MIL-H-83282 and MIL-H-83282 columns).

Toggle data sets by clicking the legend.

MIL-PRF-83282 Thermal Diffusivity Calculator
Degrees (°F):
Degrees (°C):
α (m²/s):  
α (mm²/s):  
α (cm²/s):  
α (ft²/s):  
α (ft²/h):  
MIL-PRF-5606 (m²/s):  

Calculator valid 100.4 °F to 399.2 °F (38 °C to 204 °C), atmospheric pressure, using the NADC-79248-60 fits. The MIL-PRF-5606 row is derived the same way over the same range.

Thermal Diffusivity of MIL-PRF-83282 Fire-Resistant Hydraulic Fluid
About This Data

Thermal diffusivity (α) describes how quickly a material conducts heat relative to its ability to store thermal energy. It is derived, not measured: α = k / (ρ · cp), where k is thermal conductivity [W/(m·K)], ρ is density [kg/m³], and cp is isobaric specific heat capacity [J/(kg·K)]. NADC-79248-60 (Conte & Hammond, 1980, DTIC ADA081597) does not report thermal diffusivity; the inputs are its MIL-H-83282 columns of Table 2 (density), Table 7 (specific heat) and Table 8 (thermal conductivity), tabulated at 38, 93, 149 and 204 °C at atmospheric pressure.

The smooth curve is the ratio of three fits, with T in °C: ρ = 854.002 − 0.65704·T kg/m³; cp = 1946.01 + 3.6523·T J/(kg·K); k = 0.17956 − 0.000327925·T W/(m·K). The curve is used only between 38 °C and 204 °C. That is the density fit's range: the specific heat and conductivity fits extend down to −18 °C, but no density below 38 °C was found in the sources, so the derived diffusivity is not extended there. The curve departs from the four tabulated values by about 0.9 % at most.

MIL-PRF-83282 is a fire-resistant, synthetic hydrocarbon aircraft hydraulic fluid. It has a thermal diffusivity of roughly 9.6×10⁻⁸ m²/s at 38 °C, falling to about 5.8×10⁻⁸ m²/s at 204 °C. That is higher than MIL-PRF-5606 at 38 °C (by 18%) and lower at 204 °C (by 8%); see the comparison below. The NADC report gives no measurement uncertainty, and the derived values inherit the uncertainty of its Tables 2, 7 and 8. The 1980 lot is not the same as a current MIL-PRF-83282D product, so use the values as typical only.

MIL-PRF-83282 — Thermal Diffusivity vs. Temperature
Temp (°C) Temp (°F) ρ (kg/m³) cp (kJ/kg·K) k (W/m·K) α, derived from tabulated values (×10⁻⁸ m²/s) α, curve (×10⁻⁸ m²/s) α, tabulated (mm²/s)
38100.48292.0900.1679.63869.66800.096386
93199.47932.2780.1508.30368.22510.083036
149300.27562.4870.1316.96746.94160.069674
204399.27202.6960.1125.76995.81490.057699

Tabulated α = k/(ρ·cp) from the measured Tables 2, 7 and 8 at the same temperature. Curve α = the fitted k/(ρ·cp) at the same temperature, which is what the chart and calculator use. Sources: NADC-79248-60, Tables 2, 7, 8 (MIL-H-83282).

MIL-PRF-83282 vs MIL-PRF-5606

MIL-PRF-83282 is a synthetic hydrocarbon fluid; MIL-PRF-5606 is a petroleum (mineral oil) hydraulic fluid. Both are derived from the same NADC tables over 38–204 °C. MIL-PRF-83282 has the higher thermal diffusivity at the cool end and the lower at the hot end. The two curves cross near 160 °C.

Temp (°C) Temp (°F) MIL-PRF-83282 (×10⁻⁸ m²/s) MIL-PRF-5606 (×10⁻⁸ m²/s) Difference (83282 − 5606) Difference (% of MIL-PRF-5606)
38100.49.6688.2281.44017.5 %
50122.09.3358.0411.29416.1 %
70158.08.8037.7511.05213.6 %
93199.48.2257.4480.77710.4 %
126258.87.4507.0620.3875.5 %
149300.26.9426.8220.1191.7 %
177350.66.3546.558-0.204-3.1 %
204399.25.8156.330-0.515-8.1 %

Both columns use the derived curves from the NADC-79248-60 fits, 38–204 °C only. The lot and specification revision are not stated for either fluid. Differences are computed from the values shown.

Sources
  • A. A. Conte Jr. and J. L. Hammond, Development of a High Temperature Silicone Base Fire-Resistant Hydraulic Fluid, NADC-79248-60, Naval Air Development Center, Warminster PA, 5 Feb 1980. DTIC ADA081597. apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA081597.pdf. Tables 2, 7 and 8 (MIL-H-83282 and MIL-H-83282 columns), accessed 25 Oct 2026.
  • US Department of Defense, MIL-PRF-83282D, Performance Specification: Hydraulic Fluid, Fire Resistant, Synthetic Hydrocarbon Base, Metric, NATO Code Number H-537, 30 September 1997, with Amendment 1. everyspec.com. Identification of the fluid.

Thermal diffusivity is not reported in the NADC report; the values here are derived as k/(ρ·cp) from its Tables 2, 7 and 8. The report does not state the specification revision or lot of the MIL-H-83282 tested, and gives no measurement uncertainty.

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