1. What is a Thermal Conductivity Conversion Calculator?

Definition: This calculator converts thermal conductivity values between different units using a conversion factor.

Purpose: It helps engineers, scientists, and students convert thermal conductivity measurements between various unit systems.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( k_{new} \) — Converted thermal conductivity value
• \( k_{old} \) — Original thermal conductivity value
• \( Factor \) — Unit conversion factor (depends on units being converted)

Explanation: The original value is multiplied by a factor that accounts for the relationship between the original and target units.

3. Common Conversion Factors

Common Conversions:

• W/(m·K) to Btu·in/(hr·ft²·°F): Factor ≈ 6.93347
• Btu·in/(hr·ft²·°F) to W/(m·K): Factor ≈ 0.144228
• cal/(cm·s·°C) to W/(m·K): Factor ≈ 418.4
• W/(m·K) to kcal/(hr·m·°C): Factor ≈ 0.859845

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the original thermal conductivity value and the appropriate conversion factor for your units. All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is thermal conductivity?
A: Thermal conductivity is a material's ability to conduct heat, measured as the heat flow per unit time through unit area with unit temperature gradient.

Q2: Why are there different units for thermal conductivity?
A: Different industries and countries use different unit systems (SI, imperial, etc.), requiring conversions between them.

Q3: Where can I find conversion factors?
A: Standard engineering references, unit conversion tables, or online conversion tools provide these factors.

Q4: How precise should my conversion be?
A: For most engineering applications, 4-6 significant figures are sufficient, but research applications may require more precision.

Q5: Does temperature affect the conversion?
A: The conversion factors are constant, but thermal conductivity itself may vary with temperature for some materials.