Advances in Automobile Engineering
Open Access

Thermal Conductivity

Thermal Conductivity: A measure of the ability of a material to transfer heat. Given two surfaces on either side of a material with a temperature difference between them, the thermal conductivity is the heat energy transferred per unit time and per unit surface area, divided by the temperature difference

Thermal conductivity is a bulk property that describes the ability of a material to transfer heat. In the equation in Figure 1, thermal conductivity is the proportionality factor K. The distance of heat transfer is defined as rate of heat transferred through the material

Thermal conductivity of materials plays a significant role in the cooling of electronics equipment; from the die where the heat is generated to the cabinet where the electronics are housed, conduction heat transfer and, subsequently, thermal conductivity, are the integral components of the overall thermal management process.