What Is This Tool?
This converter changes thermal conductivity measurements from kilowatt per meter per kelvin to Btu (IT) inch/hour per square foot per degree Fahrenheit, enabling users to translate data between metric and imperial units commonly used in building and HVAC industries.
How to Use This Tool?
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Enter the thermal conductivity value in kilowatt per meter per kelvin
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Select the original unit as kilowatt/meter/K [kW/(m*K)]
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Choose the target unit as Btu (IT) inch/hour/sq. foot/°F
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Click the convert button to get the result
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Use the converted value for analysis or documentation in imperial units
Key Features
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Easy conversion between kilowatt/meter/K and Btu (IT) inch/hour/sq. foot/°F units
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Supports thermal conductivity values used in building, HVAC, and materials science
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Browser-based tool accessible without installation
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Includes example conversions illustrating usage
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Facilitates comparison of material thermal properties across measurement systems
Examples
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Convert 0.5 kW/(m·K) to Btu (IT) inch/hour/sq. foot/°F resulting in approximately 3466.736
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Convert 2 kW/(m·K) to Btu (IT) inch/hour/sq. foot/°F resulting in approximately 13866.944
Common Use Cases
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Comparing thermal conductivity of building insulation materials for energy efficiency
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Designing HVAC systems requiring thermal property specifications in imperial units
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Selecting engineering materials for heat transfer modeling in North American standards
Tips & Best Practices
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Ensure input values correspond to steady-state thermal conductivity conditions
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Confirm temperature units correspond correctly when interpreting results
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Double-check unit dimensions to maintain consistency in calculations
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Use conversion results to support building code compliance and product data sheets
Limitations
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Requires careful attention to unit dimensions, especially thickness and area
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Assumes steady-state heat transfer and correct temperature difference units
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Not suitable for transient or non-linear thermal conduction interpretation
Frequently Asked Questions
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What does kilowatt per meter per kelvin measure?
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It measures the rate of steady-state heat transfer through a material per unit thickness for a given temperature gradient.
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Why convert thermal conductivity to Btu (IT) inch/hour/sq. foot/°F?
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Because this unit is commonly used in North American building and HVAC engineering for specifying insulation and construction materials.
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Is this conversion applicable for transient thermal analysis?
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No, this conversion assumes steady-state conditions and may not apply to transient or changing heat conduction scenarios.
Key Terminology
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Kilowatt/meter per kelvin (kW/(m·K))
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A unit quantifying the steady-state heat transfer rate through a material per unit thickness for a one kelvin temperature difference.
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Btu (IT) inch/hour/sq. foot/°F
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A unit representing heat transferred per hour through a 1-inch thick material per square foot area with a one degree Fahrenheit temperature difference.
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Thermal Conductivity
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A property describing how well a material conducts heat under steady-state conditions.