Thermal Conductivity Unit Converter
Convert engineering quantities quickly and consistently.
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Manual Conversion Shortcut
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Equivalent Units
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Standard Reference Tables
SI System
| SI Unit | Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 1 W/(m·K) | Base k-Value |
FPS System
| FPS Unit | Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 1 Btu/(hr·ft·°F) | 1.7307 W/(m·K) |
CGS System
| CGS Unit | Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 1 cal/(s·cm·°C) | 418.4 W/(m·K) |
Thermal Conductivity
What is Thermal Conductivity?
Thermal Conductivity (the k-value) is an intrinsic physical property that dictates a material's ability to conduct heat. High values denote excellent conductors (like copper), while low values denote insulators.
Chemical and mechanical engineers convert thermal conductivity to specify:
- Pipe Insulation: Calculating the necessary thickness of mineral wool or polyurethane to prevent heat loss or personnel injury.
- Material Selection: Choosing the correct metallurgy for heat exchanger tubes.
- Heat Tracing: Designing electrical or steam tracing for freeze protection.
Standard conversions span W/(m·K) for SI system designs and Btu/(hr·ft·°F) for US Customary specifications.