🧱 Conduction Heat Transfer & Materials
Thermal Conductivity Converter
Convert Fourier conduction thermal conductivity ($k$) between metric ($\text{W/(m}\cdot\text{K)}$), imperial ($\text{BTU/(hr}\cdot\text{ft}\cdot^\circ\text{F)}$), and building insulation $k$-factor units.
🥉 Copper (401 W/m·K)
🔩 Aluminum (237 W/m·K)
⚙️ Steel (50 W/m·K)
🧶 Insulation (0.04 W/m·K)
💎 Diamond (2,200 W/m·K)
Input Conductivity
Standard Imperial (BTU/hr·ft·°F)
231.69 BTU/(hr·ft·°F)
W / (m·K)
401.0 W/m·K
kcal / (hr·m·°C)
344.8
cal / (s·cm·°C)
0.9579
💡 Fourier's Law of Conduction:
$$q = -k \cdot A \cdot \frac{dT}{dx} \implies 1\text{ W/(m}\cdot\text{K)} = 0.5778\text{ BTU/(hr}\cdot\text{ft}\cdot^\circ\text{F)}$$
Understanding Thermal Conductivity
Thermal conductivity ($k$) is the intrinsic material property indicating its ability to conduct heat:
- Fourier's Law: $$q = -k \nabla T$$
- Conductors vs Insulators: Metals (e.g. Copper $401\text{ W/m}\cdot\text{K}$) have high free electron conduction, while aerogels and fiberglass ($0.02 - 0.04\text{ W/m}\cdot\text{K}$) minimize lattice vibration conduction.
- Conversion Factor: $1\text{ W/(m}\cdot\text{K)} = 0.577789\text{ BTU/(hr}\cdot\text{ft}\cdot^\circ\text{F)} = 6.93347\text{ BTU}\cdot\text{in/(hr}\cdot\text{ft}^2\cdot^\circ\text{F)}$.