This paper considers the stabilization problem of a one-dimensional unstable heat conduction system (rod) modeled by a parabolic partial differential equation (PDE), powered with a Dirichlet type actuator from one of the boundaries. By applying the Volterra integral transformation, a stabilizing boundary control law is obtained to achieve exponential stability in the ideal situation when there are no system uncertainties. The associated Lyapunov function is used for designing an infinite-dimensional sliding manifold, on which the system exhibits the same type of stability and robustness against certain types of parameter variations and boundary disturbances. It is observed that the relative degree of the chosen sliding function with respect to the boundary control input is zero. A continuous control law satisfying the reaching condition is obtained by passing a discontinuous (signum) signal through an integrator. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.