FAQ

Thermal conductivity and thermal conductivity coefficiency

The importance of thermal conductivity:

The thermal conductivity and heat dissipation capabilities of heat sinks are closely associated according to the service life and performance of electronic products.
Materials with high thermal conductivity or thermal interface materials are more capable of directly transferring heat and energy. Thermal conductivity is well known by a number of different names, such as thermo-conductivity, heat transfer coefficient, thermal conductivity coefficient, and heat conduction coefficient.

Key parameters of thermal interface materials - thermal conductivity coefficient:

Key parameters of heat transfer interface materials - Heat transfer coefficient:
The heat transfer coefficient, also known as the thermal conductivity (k), is measured in W/m.K. The thermal conductivity formula is k = (Q)*L/(Ac*ΔT), where k is the thermal conductivity (W/m.k), Q denotes the heat flux (W), L represents the thermal length (m), Ac means the cross-sectional area of the object through which the heat passes (m2), and ΔT is the temperature difference between the hot and cold ends; it is a measure of the amount of heat energy that can be transferred per unit time.
The key parameter in the design of heat transfer interface materials is the heat transfer coefficient. Choosing the best performing (high K-value) product is not always necessary, as hardness, thickness and heat dissipation area are also important factors in the design. All other parameters being equal, the higher the heat transfer coefficient, the more effective the heat transfer management.

 

Reference table for the heat transfer coefficients of different substances at room temperature:

Material Thermal conductivity (W/m.K) Material Thermal conductivity (W/m.K)
Diamond 2300 Water (l) 0.613
Silver 429 Human Skin 0.37
Copper 401 Wood 0.17
Gold 317 Helium 0.152
Aluminum 237 Soft rubber 0.13
Iron 80.2 Fiberglass 0.043
Mercury 8.54 Air 0.026
Glass 1.4 Rigid polyurethane 0.026
Brick 0.72 Foamed Rigid Urethane 0.026


 

Material

Thermal conductivity (W/m.K)


Diamond
2300


Silver

429  

Copper
401    

Gold
317      

Aluminum
237        

Iron
80.2          

Mercury
8.54            

Glass
1.4              

Brick
0.72                

Material

Thermal conductivity (W/m.K)


Water (l)
0.619

Human Skin
0.37  

Wood
0.17    

Helium
0.152      

Soft rubber
0.13        

Fiberglass
0.043          

Air
0.026            


Foamed Rigid Urethane

0.026            
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