What Is This Tool?
This converter allows you to change thermal conductivity measurements from the SI unit watt per meter per kelvin to the U.S. customary unit Btu (th) inch per hour per square foot per degree Fahrenheit, ensuring compatibility across different engineering practices.
How to Use This Tool?
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Enter the thermal conductivity value in watt per meter per kelvin [W/(m*K)].
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Select the unit to convert from and to as Btu (th) inch/hour/sq. foot/°F.
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Click convert to get the equivalent value in the desired unit.
Key Features
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Converts thermal conductivity between watt/meter/K and Btu (th) inch/hour/sq. foot/°F.
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Supports applications in building insulation, HVAC, and material science.
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Browser-based, easy-to-use interface requiring no installations.
Examples
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Convert 2 W/(m·K): 2 × 6.9381117892 equals approximately 13.88 Btu (th) inch/hour/sq. foot/°F.
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Convert 0.5 W/(m·K): 0.5 × 6.9381117892 equals about 3.47 Btu (th) inch/hour/sq. foot/°F.
Common Use Cases
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Specifying thermal properties of insulation materials like fiberglass and foam.
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Designing heat sinks and thermal paths in electronics and power equipment.
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Evaluating heat transfer in geological and geotechnical engineering contexts.
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Performing energy modeling and HVAC sizing using imperial units.
Tips & Best Practices
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Ensure unit consistency when integrating data from both SI and U.S. customary systems.
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Verify temperature gradients and thickness measurements used alongside conversion results.
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Use the converter for steady-state conduction scenarios with uniform materials.
Limitations
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Conversion assumes steady-state heat conduction and uniform conductivity.
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May not be accurate for transient heat transfer or materials with variable properties.
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Requires careful attention to units of temperature difference and material thickness.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What does watt per meter per kelvin measure?
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It measures thermal conductivity, indicating heat transfer rate per unit area and temperature gradient across one meter thickness.
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Why convert to Btu (th) inch/hour/sq. foot/°F?
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To express thermal conductivity in units commonly used in U.S. customary engineering, especially for construction and HVAC projects.
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Can I use this conversion for transient heat conduction?
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No, the conversion is intended for steady-state conditions with uniform material properties.
Key Terminology
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Watt per meter per kelvin [W/(m·K)]
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The SI derived unit measuring thermal conductivity as the heat flow rate per unit area per temperature gradient across one meter.
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Btu (th) inch/hour/sq. foot/°F
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A U.S. customary unit expressing thermal conductivity based on heat flow through one inch thickness and one square foot area for a one degree Fahrenheit temperature difference per hour.