Thermal Conductivity of Common Materials
Reference table for thermal conductivity (k) across metals, plastics, ceramics, and composites
Thermal Conductivity Comparison Table
| Material | k (W/m·K) |
|---|---|
| Aluminum | 237 |
| Steel (Carbon) | 50 |
| Stainless Steel | 16 |
| Copper | 401 |
| Brass | 109 |
| Bronze | 60 |
| Nickel | 90 |
| Titanium | 21 |
| Cast Iron | 52 |
| Glass (Soda-Lime) | 1.05 |
| Borosilicate Glass | 1.1 |
| Quartz | 1.4 |
| Alumina (Ceramic) | 30 |
| Silicon Carbide | 120 |
| Polyethylene (PE) | 0.4 |
| Polypropylene (PP) | 0.22 |
| Polystyrene (PS) | 0.15 |
| Polycarbonate (PC) | 0.19 |
| Epoxy Resin | 0.25 |
| Concrete | 1.7 |
| Wood (Along Grain) | 0.17 |
| Wood (Across Grain) | 0.12 |
| Bricks | 0.72 |
| Aluminum Alloy 6061 | 167 |
| Magnesium | 156 |
| Zinc | 116 |
| Lead | 35 |
| Tungsten | 173 |
| Gold | 318 |
| Silver | 429 |
Thermal Conductivity Comparison Chart
About Thermal Conductivity
Thermal conductivity (k) is a key material property that measures a substance’s ability to conduct heat. It quantifies how quickly heat energy is transferred through a material when a temperature difference exists.
q = -k × ∇T
In this equation, q is the heat flux (W/m²), k is the thermal conductivity (W/m·K), and ∇T is the temperature gradient (K/m). Materials with high thermal conductivity, such as copper and silver, are good heat conductors, while materials like wood, polystyrene, and epoxy are good thermal insulators.
Importance of Thermal Conductivity in Engineering
Thermal conductivity is essential in designing and analyzing systems where heat transfer is important, including:
- Heat Exchangers: Ensuring efficient transfer of heat between fluids and solids.
- Insulation Design: Selecting materials to minimize heat loss or gain in buildings and machinery.
- Electronics Cooling: Managing heat dissipation in components to prevent overheating.
- Materials Selection: Choosing metals, plastics, ceramics, or composites based on thermal performance requirements.
- Construction and Mechanical Design: Analyzing thermal barriers, energy efficiency, and structural temperature response.
Understanding thermal conductivity ensures materials meet performance, safety, and energy efficiency requirements in engineering applications.