Thermal Conductivity

Physical Properties

Определение

The rate at which heat flows through a material per unit area per unit temperature gradient, expressed in W/(m·K). It determines how efficiently a metal transfers heat.

Подробное объяснение

Pure copper has one of the highest thermal conductivities among metals at ~400 W/(m·K), making it ideal for heat sinks and electrical busbars. Steel has a much lower value of about 50 W/(m·K), and stainless steel is even lower at ~15 W/(m·K). Alloying generally reduces thermal conductivity compared to the pure base metal.