Thermal conductivity coefficient of copper: what is thermal conductivity. What is the thermal conductivity of copper?


What is thermal conductivity

This term refers to the ability of various materials to exchange energy, which in this case is represented by heat. In this case, energy transfer passes from the hotter part to the colder part and occurs due to:

  1. Molecules
  2. Atoms.
  3. Electrons and other particles of the metal structure.

The thermal conductivity of stainless steel will differ significantly from that of another metal - for example, the thermal conductivity of copper will be different than that of steel.

To indicate this indicator, a special value is used, called the thermal conductivity coefficient. It is characterized by the amount of heat that can pass through a material in a certain unit of time.

Properties of copper Cu: thermal conductivity and density of copper

The table shows the thermophysical properties of copper depending on temperature in the range from 50 to 1600 degrees Kelvin.

The density of copper is 8933 kg/m3 (or 8.93 g/cm3) at room temperature. Copper is almost four times heavier than aluminum and iron. These metals will float on the surface of the liquid copper. The copper density values ​​in the table are indicated in kg/m3.

The dependence of copper density on its temperature is presented in the table. It should be noted that the density of copper decreases when it is heated, both as a solid metal and as a liquid copper. The decrease in the density of this metal is due to its expansion when heated - the volume of copper increases. It should be noted that liquid copper has a density of about 8000 kg/m3 at temperatures up to 1300°C.

The thermal conductivity of copper is 401 W/(m deg) at room temperature, which is a fairly high value among metals, comparable to the thermal conductivity of silver.

At 1357K (1084°C) copper goes into a liquid state, which is reflected in the table by a sharp drop in the value of the thermal conductivity coefficient of copper. It can be seen that the thermal conductivity of liquid copper is almost two times lower than that of solid metal.

The thermal conductivity of copper tends to decrease when it is heated, but at temperatures above 1400 K, the thermal conductivity value begins to increase again.

The table discusses the following thermophysical properties of copper at various temperatures:

  • copper density, kg/m3;
  • specific heat capacity, J/(kg deg);
  • thermal diffusivity, m2/s;
  • thermal conductivity of copper, W/(m K);
  • electrical resistivity, Ohm m;
  • Lorentz function;
  • heat capacity ratio.

Copper resistivity

In the international SI system, the resistivity of conductors is measured in Ohm∙m. In the IT field, the non-system dimension Ohm∙mm 2 /m is more often used, which is more convenient for calculations, since conductor cross-sections are usually indicated in mm 2. The value 1 Ohm∙mm 2 /m is a million times less than 1 Ohm∙m and characterizes the resistivity of a substance, a homogeneous conductor of which 1 m long and with a cross-sectional area of ​​1 mm 2 gives a resistance of 1 Ohm.

The resistivity of pure electrical copper at 20°C is 0.0172 Ohm∙mm 2 /m . In various sources you can find values ​​up to 0.018 Ohm∙mm 2 /m, which can also apply to electrical copper. Values ​​vary depending on the processing to which the material is subjected. For example, annealing after drawing (“drawing”) the wire reduces the resistivity of copper by several percent, although it is carried out primarily to change mechanical rather than electrical properties.

Copper resistivity has direct implications for Power over Ethernet applications. Only a portion of the original DC current injected into the conductor will reach the far end of the conductor—some loss along the way is inevitable. For example, PoE Type 1 requires that out of 15.4 W supplied by the source, at least 12.95 W reaches the powered device at the far end.

The resistivity of copper varies with temperature, but for IT temperatures the changes are small. The change in resistivity is calculated using the formulas:

where ΔR is the change in resistivity, R is the resistivity at a temperature taken as the base level (usually 20°C), ΔT is the temperature gradient, α is the temperature coefficient of resistivity for a given material (dimension °C -1). In the range from 0°C to 100°C, a temperature coefficient of 0.004 °C -1 is accepted for copper. Let's calculate the resistivity of copper at 60°C.

R60°С = R20°С · (1 + α · (60°С – 20°С)) = 0.0172 · (1 + 0.004 · 40) ≈ 0.02 Ohm∙mm 2 /m

The resistivity increased by 16% with an increase in temperature by 40°C. When operating cable systems, of course, the twisted pair should not be exposed to high temperatures; this should not be allowed. With a properly designed and installed system, the temperature of the cables differs little from the usual 20 ° C, and then the change in resistivity will be small. According to telecommunications standards, the resistance of a 100 m copper conductor in a category 5e or 6 twisted pair cable should not exceed 9.38 ohms at 20°C. In practice, manufacturers fit into this value with a margin, so even at temperatures of 25°C ÷ 30°C, the resistance of the copper conductor does not exceed this value.

Pros and cons of aluminum radiators

By comparing the strengths and weaknesses of devices, you can understand their main differences. After all, the difference between copper and aluminum radiators lies in their main characteristics. What is considered an objective advantage for one person turns out to be a serious disadvantage for another. Just look at the pros and cons of aluminum products and you will understand the difference between them.

Let's start with the positive aspects of aluminum as a material for the manufacture of car heater radiators.

  1. Price. While cost was considered a disadvantage of copper radiators, here it is a serious advantage. If we compare the price tags for both products, aluminum ones will win by about 2 times. Much depends on the manufacturer, but still the difference in cost remains significant. The buyer can save a lot. Because of this, aluminum units have such a large audience.
  2. Heat dissipation. Provided that the number of plates is increased, that is, the cooling area becomes larger, aluminum will not be much inferior to copper in terms of heat transfer. Therefore, in this component they are practically the same. But remember that aluminum ones are cheaper.
  3. Range. A huge proportion of modern cars that have been produced over the past few years are equipped with aluminum units from the factory. Because of this, the number of their analogues and original spare parts offered by different manufacturers is growing. The copper versions have a more modest choice.

We're done with the benefits. Let's move on to the other side of the coin. Aluminum is not doing so well. The stated advantages are beyond doubt. But still, motorists make a choice in favor of copper after they have studied the main disadvantages of the design option under consideration.

Therefore, the disadvantages should definitely be pointed out. This clearly shows the differences between the elements. The main disadvantages include:

  1. Thermal conductivity indicators. This is a very important drawback that literally negates all the objective positive qualities of the devices. If the driver needs to get the most efficient radiator so that the heating system works efficiently and fully warms up the interior, he will not look in the direction of aluminum.
  2. Repairability

Approximately the same conclusions can be drawn regarding these devices, which are made from two different materials.

Which conducts heat better: aluminum or copper?

Which conducts heat better, aluminum or copper?

Today, radiators are made from a variety of materials, the most common being steel, stainless steel and aluminum.

Always have doubts about which radiator to choose for installation in your home? Obviously, this depends on personal taste, as well as on the requirements that you have set for yourself regarding the quality of the heating of the room.

Aluminum is by far the most environmentally friendly material and has a huge number of advantages.

Differences between copper and aluminum

The main concerns regarding winding material selection reflect five characteristic differences between copper and aluminum:

Table: Five characteristic differences between copper and aluminum

ParameterAluminumCopper
Expansion coefficient per °C x 10 -6 at 20 °C2316,6
Thermal Conductivity BTU/ft/h/FFT 2/°F at 20°C126222
Electrical conductivity % at 20°C61101
Tensile strength n/mm 2 (soft)28-4240

How to choose a heating radiator: expert advice

In this article we will not consider cast iron radiators, because... they are losing popularity among buyers.

Let's focus on the most popular models.

The material will tell you in detail about the advantages of aluminum and steel batteries.

Aluminum radiators are lightweight

Aluminum radiators are lighter than traditional steel or cast iron radiators, this fact makes it possible to place such a radiator on any wall in the room.

Aluminum batteries can be hung on the wall, even in situations where the thickness does not allow for deep fastening.

This significantly saves the cost of paying for construction work, since they can be hung very quickly and reliably.

Aluminum is a corrosion resistant material

Aluminum is not subject to corrosion, which makes it an ideal material for the production of radiators that are intended to be installed in areas such as bathrooms and kitchens where there is high humidity.

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Aluminum conducts heat well

Aluminum heats up quickly, making it an excellent heat conductor.

Aluminum radiators have a low water content, which means that once turned on, such devices give an intense burst of heat and heat up rooms quite quickly.

By installing aluminum radiators, you can quickly achieve the required temperature in the rooms, as they have the shortest response time.

The main advantage is a significant saving in energy costs during the heating season and, as a wonderful bonus, saving money, since aluminum radiators can be turned off while you are away from the house, and when you return home, turn them on and quickly get a warm home without spending a long time waiting.

Aluminum radiators come in a wide range of designs and colors

There is a common belief that efficient heat cannot be beautiful and original. Fortunately, the days when design must give way to superior performance are over.

Aluminum radiators have a diverse range of designs and offer even the most demanding buyer a decent choice.

You can choose your own finishing color that will perfectly match the style of your home, the shape of the radiator will be one hundred percent in harmony with your home or office atmosphere.

Stainless steel

The use of steel for the production of heat exchangers allows us to obtain durable products, which are mainly used for individual heating systems in houses and cottages.

Due to the ability to control the quality of the coolant and the pressure in the system, steel appliances will be an excellent choice for autonomous heating systems.

Provided that high-quality coolant is supplied and the working fluid pressure is moderate, such devices will last more than 30 years.

Connectivity

Oxides, chlorides, sulfides or base metals that are more conductive on copper than on aluminum. This fact makes cleaning and protecting aluminum connectors more important. Some consider copper and aluminum compounds to be incompatible. Also questionable is the mating of connections between the aluminum of the transformers and the copper connection wire.

Expansion coefficient

When temperature changes, aluminum expands almost a third more than copper. This expansion, along with the ductile nature of aluminum, causes some problems for improperly installed bolted connections.

To avoid loosening of the connection, it must be spring-loaded. By using either cup washers or pressure washers, the necessary elasticity during articulation can be achieved without compressing the aluminum.

When using proper fittings, aluminum connections can be equal in quality to copper ones.

Thermal conductivity

Some argue that since the thermal conductivity of copper is higher than aluminum, this has the effect of reducing the hot spot temperature of the transformer winding.

This is only true when the copper and aluminum winding conductors are of the same size, geometry and design.

Therefore, for any power transformer of a given size, the thermal conductivity characteristics of aluminum can be very similar to copper.

Characteristics of thermal conductivity of materials

The concept of thermal conductivity of materials is characterized by the ability to transfer thermal energy within a certain object from heated parts to cold ones. The process is carried out by atoms, molecules, electrons and occurs in any body with an uneven temperature distribution.

From the standpoint of kinetic physics, this process occurs as a result of the interaction of particles of molecules in hotter areas within the sample with other elements characterized by a lower temperature. The mechanism and rate of heat transfer depends on the state of aggregation of the substance.

The thermal conductivity category involves determining the heating rate of a material sample and the movement of a temperature wave in a certain direction. The indicator depends on physical parameters:

  • density;
  • temperature of phase transition to liquid state
  • speed of sound propagation (for dielectrics).

Thermal conductivity of brass and bronze

The table shows the thermal conductivity values ​​of brass, bronze, as well as copper-nickel alloys (constantan, copel, manganin, etc.) depending on temperature - in the range from 4 to 1273 K.

The thermal conductivity of brass, bronze and other copper-based alloys increases when heated. According to the table, L96 brass has the highest thermal conductivity of the alloys considered at room temperature. Its thermal conductivity at a temperature of 300 K (27°C) is 244 W/(m deg).

Also copper alloys with high thermal conductivity include: brass LS59-1, tombac L96 and L90, tin tombac LTO90-1, rolled tombac RT-90. In addition, the thermal conductivity of brass is generally higher than that of bronze. It should be noted that bronzes with high thermal conductivity include: phosphorus, chromium and beryllium bronzes, as well as BrA5 bronze.

The copper alloy with the lowest thermal conductivity is manganese bronze - its thermal conductivity coefficient at a temperature of 27°C is 9.6 W/(m deg).

The thermal conductivity of copper alloys is always lower than the thermal conductivity of pure copper, all other things being equal. In addition, the thermal conductivity of copper-nickel alloys is particularly low. The most thermally conductive of them at room temperature is cupronickel MNZhMts 30-0.8-1 with a thermal conductivity of 30 W/(m deg).

Table of thermal conductivity of brass, bronze and copper-nickel alloysAlloyTemperature, KThermal conductivity, W/(m deg)Copper-nickel alloysBrassBronze

Beryllium copper300111
Constantan of foreign production4…10…20…40…80…3000,8…3,5…8,8…13…18…23
Constantan MNMts40-1.5273…473…573…67321…26…31…37
Kopel MNMts43-0.5473…127325…58
Manganin of foreign production4…10…40…80…150…3000,5…2…7…13…16…22
Manganin MNMts 3-12273…57322…36
Cupronickel MNZHMts 30-0.8-130030
Nickel silver300…400…500…600…70023…31…39…45…49
Automatic brass UNS C36000300115
L62300…600…900110…160…200
L68 deformed brass80…150…300…90071…84…110…120
L80 semi-tompak300…600…900110…120…140
L90273…373…473…573…673…773…873114…126…142…157…175…188…203
L96 tombak drawn300…400…500…600…700…800244…245…246…250…255…260
LAN59-3-2 aluminum-nickel brass300…600…90084…120…150
LMC58-2 manganese brass300…600…90070…100…120
LO62-1 tin30099
LO70-1 tin300…60092…140
LS59-1 annealed brass4…10…20…40…80…3003,4…10…19…34…54…120
LS59-1V leaded brass300…600…900110…140…180
LTO90-1 tombak tin300…400…500…600…700…800…900124…141…157…174…194…209…222
BrA5300…400…500…600…700…800…900105…114…124…133…141…148…153
BrA7300…400…500…600…700…800…90097…105…114…122…129…135…141
BrAZhMC10-3-1.5300…600…80059…77…84
BrAZHN10-4-4300…400…50075…87…97
BrAZHN11-6-6300…400…500…600…700…80064…71…77…82…87…94
BrB2, annealed at 573K4…10…20…40…802,3…5…11…21…37
BrKd293340
BrKMTs3-1300…400…500…600…70042…50…55…54…54
BrMC-5300…400…500…600…70094…103…112…122…127
BrMTsS8-20300…400…500…600…700…800…90032…37…43…46…49…51…53
BrO10300…400…50048…52…56
BrOS10-10300…400…600…80045…51…61…67
BrOS5-25300…400…500…600…700…800…90058…64…71…77…80…83…85
BrOF10-1300…400…500…600…700…800…90034…38…43…46…49…51…52
BrOTs10-2300…400…500…600…700…800…90055…56…63…68…72…75…77
BrOTs4-3300…400…500…600…700…800…90084…93…101…108…114…120…124
BrOTs6-6-3300…400…500…600…700…800…90064…71…77…82…87…91…93
BrOTs8-4300…400…500…600…700…800…90068…77…83…88…93…96…100
Aluminum bronze30056
Aged beryllium bronze20…80…150…30018…65…110…170
Manganese bronze3009,6
Production leaded bronze30026
Phosphor bronze 10%30050
Phosphor bronze annealed20…80…150…3006…20…77…190
Chromium bronze UNS C18200300171

Metal characteristics

The melting temperature of brass, depending on its composition, ranges from 880-950°C. Thus, with an increase in zinc impurity in the material under consideration, the melting point will decrease. It is worth noting that brass, due to its properties, can be welded well.

Brass is processed by resistance welding and can be rolled. The uncoated surfaces of the metal in question turn black when in contact with air. Brass has a yellow color and is highly polished. The non-ferrous metal in question can be melted within certain temperature limits, depending on the impurities in the composition of the material.

Metal Specifications

  • Melting point – 880-950°C;
  • Material density – 8,300-8,700 kg/cubic meter;
  • Specific heat capacity - 0.377 kJ kg−1 K−1 at 20°C;
  • Electrical resistivity - (0.07-0.08)·10−6 Ohm·m.

It is useful to know that bismuth, as well as lead, have a detrimental effect on brass, since they reduce the ability to deform when hot.

What are the advantages of non-ferrous metal, grade and application?

Brass belongs to the category of non-ferrous metals. It is useful to know about the chemical and physical benefits that brass has.

Advantages

  • Corrosion resistance;
  • High degree of fluidity;
  • Excellent anti-friction properties;
  • Slight tendency to segregation;
  • Excellent technological properties;
  • Excellent mechanical properties.

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The list presented above does not limit the advantages and beneficial properties of this metal. You should not ignore the most popular brands of material, as well as application.

Melting point of brass

The melting point of brass of the considered brands varies in the range from 865 to 1055 °C. The most fusible is manganese brass LMts58-2 with a melting point of 865°C. Low-melting brasses also include: L59, L62, LAN59-3-2, LKS65-1.5-3 and others.

L96 brass has the highest melting point (1055°C). Among the refractory brasses, according to the table, we can also distinguish: brass L90, LA85-0.5, tin tombac LTO90-1.

Melting point of brassBrass, °СBrass, °С

L59885LMts55-3-1930
L62898LMts58-2 manganese brass865
L63900LMtsA57-3-1920
L66905LMtsZh52-4-1940
L68 deformed brass909LMtsOS58-2-2-2900
L70915LMtsS58-2-2900
L75980LN56-3890
L80 semi-tompak965LN65-5960
L85990LO59-1885
L901025LO60-1885
L96 tombak drawn1055LO62-1 tin885
LA67-2.5995LO65-1-2920
LA77-2930LO70-1 tin890
LA85-0.51020LO74-3885
LAZ60-1-1904LO90-1995
LAZHMts66-6-3-2899LS59-1900
LAN59-3-2 aluminum-nickel brass892LS59-1V leaded brass900
LANKMts75-2-2.5-0.5-0.5940LS60-1900
LZhMts59-1-1885LS63-3885
LK80-3900LS64-2910
LKS65-1.5-3870LS74-3965
LKS80-3-3900LTO90-1 tombak tin1015

Melting point of bronze

The melting point of bronze ranges from 854 to 1135°C. Bronze AZHN11-6-6 has the highest melting point - it melts at a temperature of 1408 K (1135°C). The melting point of this bronze is even higher than the melting point of copper, which is 1084.6°C.

Bronzes with a low melting point include: BrOTs8-4, BrB2, BrMTsS8-20, BrSN60-2.5 and the like.

Melting temperature of bronze Bronzet, °С Bronzet, °С

BrA51056BrOS8-12940
BrA71040BrOSN10-2-31000
BrA101040BrOF10-1934
BrAZH9-41040BrOF4-0.251060
BrAZhMC10-3-1.51045BrOTs10-21015
BrAZHN10-4-41084BrOTs4-31045
BrAZHN11-6-61135BrOTs6-6-3967
BrAZhS7-1.5-1.51020BrOTs8-4854
BrAMTS9-21060BrOTsS3.5-6-5980
BrB2864BrOTsS4-4-17920
BrB2.5930BrOTsS4-4-2.5887
BrKMTs3-1970BrOTsS5-5-5955
BrKN1-31050BrOTsS8-4-31015
BrKS3-41020BrOTsS3-12-51000
BrKTs4-41000BrOTsSN3-7-5-1990
BrMG0.31076BrS30975
BrMC51007BrSN60-2.5885
BrMTsS8-20885BrSUN7-2950
BrO101020BrХ0.51073
BrOS10-10925BrTsr0.4965
BrOS10-5980Cadmium1040
BrOS12-7930Silver1082
BrOS5-25899HOT alloy1075

Note: The melting and boiling points of other common metals are given in this table.

Thermal conductivity of non-ferrous metals and technical alloys

The table shows the thermal conductivity values ​​of metals (non-ferrous), as well as the chemical composition of metals and technical alloys in the temperature range from 0 to 600°C.

Non-ferrous metals and alloys: nickel Ni, monel, nichrome; nickel alloys (according to GOST 492-58): cupronickel NM81, NM70, constantan NMMts 58.5-1.54, copel NM 56.5, monel NMZhMts and K-monel, alumel, chromel, manganin NMMts 85-12, invar; magnesium alloys (according to GOST 2856-68), electron, platinum-rhodium; soft solders (according to GOST 1499-70): pure tin, lead, POS-90, POS-40, POS-30, Rose alloy, Wood alloy.

The table shows that magnesium alloys and nickel have high thermal conductivity (at room temperature). Low thermal conductivity is characteristic of nichrome, invar and Wood's alloy.

Thermal conductivity coefficients of alloys

The table shows the thermal conductivity values ​​of alloys in the temperature range from 20 to 200ºС. Alloys: aluminum bronze, bronze, phosphor bronze, invar, constantan, manganin, magnesium alloys, copper alloys, Rose alloy, Wood's alloy, nickel alloys, nickel silver, platinum-iridium, electron alloy, platinum-rhodium.

Thermal conductivity coefficient of other materials

MaterialHumidity mass fraction % W/(m•K)

Bakelite varnish0,29
Concrete with crushed stone81,28
Plain paperAir dry0,14
Viniplast0,13
GravelAir dry0,36
Granite3,14
Clay15-200,7-0,93
Oak (along the grain)6-80,35-0,43
Oak (across the grain)6-80,2-0,21
Reinforced concrete81,55
CardboardAir dry0,14-0,35
BrickworkAir dry0,67-0,87
Leather>>0,14-0,16
Ice2,21
Cork boards0,042-0,054
Freshly fallen snow0,105
Snow compacted0,35
The snow has begun to melt0,64
Pine (along the grain)80,35-0,41
Pine (across the grain)80,14-0,16
Glass (ordinary)0,74
Ftoroplast-30,058
Ftoroplast-40,233
Cinder concrete130,698
Plaster6-80,791

Thermal conductivity coefficient of asbestos and foam concrete at different temperatures

(ρa=576kg/m3, ρп=400kg/m3,λ, W/(m•K))

Material-18oС0oС50oС100oС150oС

Asbestos0,150,180,1950,20
Foam concrete0,10,110,110,130,17

Thermal conductivity coefficient of liquid W/(m•K) at different temperatures

Material0oС50oС100oС

Aniline0,190,1770,167
Acetone0,170,160,15
Benzene0,1380,126
Water0,5510,6480,683
Vaseline oil0,1260,1220,119
Castor oil0,1840,1770,172
Methyl alcohol0,2140,207
Ethanol0,1880,177
Toluene0,1420,1290,119

Specific resistance and temperature coefficient of expansion (CTE) of metal wire (at 18ºС)

The table shows the values ​​of electrical resistivity and CTE of metal wire made of various metals and alloys. Wire material: aluminum, tungsten, iron, gold, brass, manganin, copper, nickel, constantan, nichrome, tin, platinum, lead, silver, zinc. As can be seen from the table, nichrome wire has a high electrical resistivity and is successfully used as incandescent heating coils for many household and industrial devices.

Specific heat capacity of multicomponent special alloys

The specific (mass) heat capacity of multicomponent special alloys is given in the table at temperatures from 0 to 1300ºС.

Heat capacity dimension cal/(g deg). Heat capacity of special alloys: alumel, bell metal, Wood's alloy, Invar, Lipowitz alloy, Manganin, Monel, Rose alloy, phosphorus bronze, chromel, Na-K alloy, Pb - Bi alloy, Pb - Bi - Sn, Zn - Sn - Ni - Fe - Mn.

Melting point of brass

The melting point of brass of the considered brands varies in the range from 865 to 1055 °C. The most fusible is manganese brass LMts58-2 with a melting point of 865°C. Low-melting brasses also include: L59, L62, LAN59-3-2, LKS65-1.5-3 and others.

L96 brass has the highest melting point (1055°C).
Among the refractory brasses, according to the table, we can also distinguish: brass L90, LA85-0.5, tin tombak LTO90-1. Melting point of brass

Brasst, °СBrasst, °С
L59885LMts55-3-1930
L62898LMts58-2 manganese brass865
L63900LMtsA57-3-1920
L66905LMtsZh52-4-1940
L68 deformed brass909LMtsOS58-2-2-2900
L70915LMtsS58-2-2900
L75980LN56-3890
L80 semi-tompak965LN65-5960
L85990LO59-1885
L901025LO60-1885
L96 tombak drawn1055LO62-1 tin885
LA67-2.5995LO65-1-2920
LA77-2930LO70-1 tin890
LA85-0.51020LO74-3885
LAZ60-1-1904LO90-1995
LAZHMts66-6-3-2899LS59-1900
LAN59-3-2 aluminum-nickel brass892LS59-1V leaded brass900
LANKMts75-2-2.5-0.5-0.5940LS60-1900
LZhMts59-1-1885LS63-3885
LK80-3900LS64-2910
LKS65-1.5-3870LS74-3965
LKS80-3-3900LTO90-1 tombak tin1015

The concept of thermal resistance and thermal conductivity coefficient

If thermal conductivity characterizes the ability of metals to transfer the temperature of bodies from one surface to another, then thermal resistance shows an inverse relationship, i.e. the ability of metals to prevent such transfer, in other words, to resist. Air has high thermal resistance. It is he who, most of all, prevents the transfer of heat between bodies.

The quantitative characteristic of the change in temperature of a unit area per unit of time by one degree (K) is called the thermal conductivity coefficient. The international system of units usually measures this parameter in W/m*deg. This characteristic is very important when choosing metal products that must transfer heat from one body to another.

MetalThermal conductivity coefficient of metals at temperature, °C
— 100100300700
Aluminum2,452,382,302,260,9
Beryllium4,12,31,71,250,9
Vanadium0,310,34
Bismuth0,110,080,070,110,15
Tungsten2,051,901,651,451,2
Hafnium0,220,21
Iron0,940,760,690,550,34
Gold3,33,13,1
Indium0,25
Iridium1,511,481,43
Cadmium0,960,920,900,950,44 (400°)
Potassium0,990,420,34
Calcium0,98
Cobalt0,69
Lithium0,710,73
Magnesium1,61,51,51,45
Copper4,053,853,823,763,50
Molybdenum1,41,431,04 (1000°)
Sodium1,351,350,850,760,60
Nickel0,970,910,830,640,66
Niobium0,490,490,510,56
Tin0,740,640,600,33
Palladium0,690,670,74
Platinum0,680,690,720,760,84
Rhenium0,71
Rhodium1,541,521,47
Mercury0,330,090.10,115
Lead0,370,350,3350,3150,19
Silver4,224,184,173,62
Antimony0,230,180,170,170,21
Thallium0,410,430,490,25 (400 0)
Tantalum0,540,54
Titanium0,160,15
Thorium0,410,390,400,45
Uranus0,240,260,310,40
Chromium0,860,850,800,63
Zinc1,141,131,091,000,56
Zirconium0,210,200,19

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Conductor resistivity table

Conductor materialSpecific resistance ρ in
Silver Copper Gold Brass Aluminum Sodium Iridium Tungsten Zinc Molybdenum Nickel Bronze Iron Steel Tin Lead Nickelin (an alloy of copper, nickel and zinc) Manganin (an alloy of copper, nickel and manganese) Constantan (an alloy of copper, nickel and aluminum) Titanium Mercury Nichrome (an alloy of nickel, chromium, iron and manganese) Fechral Bismuth Chromal0,015 0,0175 0,023 0,025… 0,108 0,028 0,047 0,0474 0,05 0,054 0,059 0,087 0,095… 0,1 0,1 0,103… 0,137 0,12 0,22 0,42 0,43… 0,51 0,5 0,6 0,94 1,05… 1,4 1,15… 1,35 1,2 1,3… 1,5

The table shows that an iron wire with a length of 1 m and a cross-section of 1 mm2 has a resistance of 0.13 Ohm. To get 1 Ohm of resistance you need to take 7.7 m of such wire. Silver has the lowest resistivity. 1 Ohm of resistance can be obtained by taking 62.5 m of silver wire with a cross section of 1 mm2. Silver is the best conductor, but the cost of silver excludes the possibility of its mass use. After silver in the table comes copper: 1 m of copper wire with a cross-section of 1 mm2 has a resistance of 0.0175 Ohm. To get a resistance of 1 ohm, you need to take 57 m of such wire.

Chemically pure copper, obtained by refining, has found widespread use in electrical engineering for the manufacture of wires, cables, windings of electrical machines and devices. Aluminum and iron are also widely used as conductors.

The conductor resistance can be determined by the formula:

where r is the conductor resistance in ohms; ρ is the resistivity of the conductor; l is the length of the conductor in m; S - conductor cross-section in mm2.

Example 1. Determine the resistance of 200 m of iron wire with a cross section of 5 mm2.

Example 2. Calculate the resistance of 2 km of aluminum wire with a cross section of 2.5 mm2.

From the resistance formula you can easily determine the length, resistivity and cross-section of the conductor.

Example 3. For a radio receiver, it is necessary to wind a 30 Ohm resistance from nickel wire with a cross section of 0.21 mm2. Determine the required wire length.

Example 4. Determine the cross-section of 20 m of nichrome wire if its resistance is 25 Ohms.

Example 5. A wire with a cross section of 0.5 mm2 and a length of 40 m has a resistance of 16 Ohms. Determine the wire material.

The material of the conductor characterizes its resistivity.

Based on the resistivity table, we find that lead has this resistance.

It was stated above that the resistance of conductors depends on temperature. Let's do the following experiment. Let's wind several meters of thin metal wire in the form of a spiral and connect this spiral to the battery circuit. To measure current, we connect an ammeter to the circuit. When the coil is heated in the burner flame, you will notice that the ammeter readings will decrease. This shows that the resistance of a metal wire increases with heating.

For some metals, when heated by 100°, the resistance increases by 40 - 50%. There are alloys that change their resistance slightly with heating. Some special alloys show virtually no change in resistance when temperature changes. The resistance of metal conductors increases with increasing temperature, while the resistance of electrolytes (liquid conductors), coal and some solids, on the contrary, decreases.

The ability of metals to change their resistance with changes in temperature is used to construct resistance thermometers. This thermometer is a platinum wire wound on a mica frame. By placing a thermometer, for example, in a furnace and measuring the resistance of the platinum wire before and after heating, the temperature in the furnace can be determined.

temperature coefficient of resistance

- this is the change in the resistance of the conductor when it is heated, per 1 ohm of initial resistance and per 1° temperature, denoted by the letter α.

If at temperature t0 the resistance of the conductor is equal to r0, and at temperature t is equal to rt, then the temperature coefficient of resistance

Note. Calculation using this formula can only be done in a certain temperature range (up to approximately 200°C).

We present the values ​​of the temperature coefficient of resistance α for some metals (Table 2).

What does thermal conductivity depend on?

Studying the ability of heat transfer by metal products, it was revealed that thermal conductivity depends on:

  • type of metal;
  • chemical composition;
  • porosity;
  • sizes.

Metals have different crystal lattice structures, and this can change the thermal conductivity of the material. For example, in steel and aluminum, the structural features of microparticles affect differently the rate of transfer of thermal energy through them.

The thermal conductivity coefficient can have different values ​​for the same metal when the exposure temperature changes. This is due to the fact that different metals have different melting degrees, which means that under other environmental parameters, the properties of the materials will also differ, and this will affect thermal conductivity.

Disadvantages of the high thermal conductivity of copper and its alloys

Copper has a much higher cost than brass or aluminum. At the same time, this metal has its disadvantages, which are directly related to its advantages. High thermal conductivity leads to the need to create special conditions during cutting, welding and soldering of copper elements. Since copper elements need to be heated much more concentrated compared to steel. Also, preliminary and concomitant heating of the part is often required.

Don’t forget that copper pipes require careful insulation if they make up the main line or distribution of the heating system. Which leads to an increase in the cost of network installation compared to options when other materials are used.

Example of thermal insulation of copper pipes

Example of thermal insulation of copper pipes

Difficulties also arise with gas welding of copper: this process will require more powerful torches. When welding metal 8–10 mm thick, two or three torches will be required. While one torch is used for welding, the other is heating the part. In general, welding work with copper requires increased costs for consumables.

It should also be said about the need to use special tools. So, to cut brass and bronze up to 15 cm thick, you will need a cutter capable of working with high-chromium steel 30 cm thick. Moreover, the same tool is enough to work with pure copper only 5 cm thick.

Physical and chemical properties of alloys

The chemical composition and mechanical properties of copper alloys provide them not only with strength, but also with good electrical and thermal conductivity. This especially applies to brass.

All copper alloys are characterized by good anti-friction properties. Bronze is especially worth noting.

Due to the good anti-friction properties of bronze, the material is used for the manufacture of bushings as sliding bearings. Such a product does not require lubrication, since all roughness is crushed from the inner diameter along which sliding occurs. This is precisely the source of lubrication. Installation of such bearings is carried out even on high-precision equipment - jig boring and jig grinding machines.

The melting point of copper without additives is 1083 degrees. Depending on the amount of zinc and tin added, this indicator changes. The melting point of brass is 900–1050 degrees, and that of bronze is 930–1140 degrees.

The corrosion properties of copper alloys are resistant. This is due to the fact that copper is not an active element. Polished surfaces are especially non-corrosive.

The corrosion resistance of copper compounds occurs in fresh water and is impaired in the presence of acid, which prevents the formation of a protective coating.

Measurement methods

To measure the thermal conductivity of metals, two methods are used: stationary and non-stationary. The first is characterized by the achievement of a constant value of the changed temperature on the controlled surface, and the second - by a partial change in it.

Stationary measurement is carried out experimentally, requires a lot of time, as well as the use of the metal under study in the form of blanks of the correct shape, with flat surfaces. The sample is placed between the heated and cooled surface, and after touching the planes, the time during which the workpiece can increase the temperature of the cool support by one degree Kelvin is measured. When calculating thermal conductivity, the dimensions of the sample being studied must be taken into account.

Non-stationary research methods are used in rare cases due to the fact that the result is often biased. Nowadays, no one except scientists is involved in measuring the coefficient; everyone uses long-established experimental values ​​for various materials. This is due to the constancy of this parameter while maintaining the chemical composition of the product.

Characteristics of brass

Brass is a double or multi-component copper-based alloy. It contains zinc as a component. Sometimes the alloy is supplemented with nickel, lead, manganese, etc. In the 19th century, brass alloy was used as counterfeit gold because of the metal's distinctive color. Jewelry and other household items were made from it.

Today, brass is used to obtain the steel-brass material. It is resistant to corrosion, does not wear out and is quite plastic, despite its strength and hardness.

Is it possible to increase the thermal conductivity of copper?

Copper is widely used in the creation of microcircuits for electronic devices and is designed to remove heat from parts heated by electric current. When trying to increase the speed of modern computers, developers were faced with the problem of cooling processors and other parts. One of the solutions was to split the processor into several cores. However, this method of combating overheating has exhausted itself, and now it is necessary to look for new conductors with higher thermal and electrical conductivity.

One solution to this problem is the recently discovered element graphene. Thanks to graphene deposition, the thermal conductivity of the copper element increases by 25%. However, the invention is still at the development level.

Importance in everyday life and production

Why is it important to consider thermal conductivity? A similar value is indicated in various tables for each metal and is taken into account in the following cases:

  1. In the manufacture of various heat exchangers. Heat is one of the important carriers of energy. It is used to provide comfortable living conditions in residential and other premises. When creating heating radiators and boilers, it is important to ensure rapid and complete heat transfer from the coolant to the end consumer.
  2. In the manufacture of outlet elements. You can often encounter a situation where you need to remove heat rather than supply it. An example is the case of heat removal from the cutting edge of a tool or gear teeth. To ensure that the metal does not lose its basic performance qualities, rapid removal of thermal energy is ensured.
  3. When creating insulating layers. In some cases, the material should not conduct thermal energy transfer. For such operating conditions, a metal is selected that has a low heat conductivity coefficient.

The indicator under consideration is determined when testing under various conditions. As previously noted, the thermal conductivity coefficient may depend on the operating temperature. Therefore, the tables indicate several of its values.

Basic properties of metal oxides

The table shows the main properties of metal oxides at room temperature. Properties are indicated for the following metal oxides: Al2O3, MgO, TiO, Ti2O3, TiO2, ZrO2, zinc oxide ZnO, iron oxides FeO, Fe3O4, Fe2O3, NiO, copper oxide CuO, vanadium oxide V2O5, tungsten oxide WO3, manganese oxide MnO2, oxide barium BaO2.

The following properties of metal oxides are given:

  • molecular weight of the oxide;
  • density, kg/m3;
  • melting point, K;
  • heat of fusion, kJ/kg;
  • boiling point, K;
  • heat of evaporation during boiling, kJ/kg;
  • temperature of polymorphic transformation, K;
  • heat of polymorphic transformation, kJ/kg.

Basic properties of metal oxides - table

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