Thermal Conductivity Calculator
Thermal Conductivity Analysis
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Physics & Engineering
Thermal Engineering
heat-transfer
Understanding Thermal Conductivity
What is Thermal Conductivity?
Thermal conductivity is a material property that measures the ability to conduct heat. It quantifies the rate at which heat energy passes through a material given a temperature gradient.
Fourier's Law:
Q = k × A × ΔT / L
Q = Heat Transfer, k = Thermal Conductivity
Material Properties
Materials with high thermal conductivity transfer heat quickly (metals), while insulators have low thermal conductivity. This property is crucial for thermal management in engineering applications.
Common Thermal Conductivity Values
High Conductivity Materials
- • Silver: 429 W/(m·K)
- • Copper: 401 W/(m·K)
- • Gold: 317 W/(m·K)
- • Aluminum: 237 W/(m·K)
Low Conductivity Materials
- • Air: 0.026 W/(m·K)
- • Wood: 0.15 W/(m·K)
- • Concrete: 1.7 W/(m·K)
- • Glass: 1.05 W/(m·K)
Conclusion
Thermal conductivity is fundamental to heat transfer analysis and thermal engineering. Understanding and calculating thermal properties is essential for insulation design, heat exchangers, and thermal management systems across all engineering disciplines.