What is the Difference Between Thermal Conductivity and Heat Transfer Coefficient?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Thermal conductivity and heat transfer coefficient are related to heat transfer but have different meanings and applications:
- Thermal conductivity is a property of a material that describes its ability to conduct heat through itself. It is the rate of heat transfer directly related to the thermal gradient. The unit of thermal conductivity is W/mK. The thermal conductivity of a material is independent of its thickness.
- Heat transfer coefficient is an empirical function that correlates the effective heat transfer across a boundary to the difference in bulk temperatures measured at the interfaces. It is a proportionality constant between the heat flux and the thermodynamic driving force for the heat transfer. The units of the heat transfer coefficient are W/(m²K). The heat transfer coefficient is dependent on the material, thickness, and applied conditions.
In summary, thermal conductivity is a material-dependent property that describes the rate of heat transfer through the material, while the heat transfer coefficient is an empirical function that relates the effective heat transfer across a boundary to the difference in bulk temperatures.
Comparative Table: Thermal Conductivity vs Heat Transfer Coefficient
The main difference between thermal conductivity and heat transfer coefficient lies in their definitions and applications. Here is a table summarizing their differences:
| Property | Thermal Conductivity | Heat Transfer Coefficient |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Thermal conductivity is the ability of a material to conduct heat through itself. | Heat transfer coefficient is a proportionality constant between the heat flux and the thermodynamic driving force for the heat transfer. |
| Units | Typically expressed in W/mK or Btu/(hr ft²ºF). | Heat transfer coefficient has no specific units; it is a dimensionless value. |
| Application | Thermal conductivity is used to measure the heat transfer capacity of materials, such as insulation materials, and is also used in the calculation of heat transfer through solids. | Heat transfer coefficient is used in various heat transfer calculations, such as in heat exchangers and convective heat transfer. |
| Relationship | Thermal conductivity represents the intrinsic heat transfer capacity of a material. | Heat transfer coefficient is a broader concept that depends on the material, its thickness, and the surrounding environment. |
In summary, thermal conductivity is a property of a material that indicates its ability to conduct heat, while the heat transfer coefficient is a constant that relates the heat flux to the thermodynamic driving force for heat transfer in a specific system or process.
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- Natural vs Forced Convection
- Latent Heat vs Specific Heat