heatconductive

Heat-conductive, or thermal conductor, describes a material's ability to transfer thermal energy by conduction. This property is quantified by thermal conductivity, k, measured in watts per meter-kelvin (W/m·K). Materials with high k are effective heat conductors, while those with low k are poor conductors or insulators.

In solids, heat transfer occurs mainly through lattice vibrations (phonons) and, in metals, free electrons that carry energy. The relative contribution of these carriers depends on the material; metals typically have high electronic contributions and thus high conductivity, whereas ceramics and polymers rely largely on phonons and tend to be poorer conductors.

Thermal conductivity generally varies with temperature and can be anisotropic in crystals. Measurements report k as a bulk property, while composites or porous materials show effective conductivities that depend on structure, porosity, and interfaces.

Common examples include copper and aluminum as high-conductivity metals; graphite and carbon nanotubes can show directional conductivity; polymers, foams, and aerogels are often used as insulators due to low conductivities. Thermal-management applications rely on choosing materials with appropriate k values.

In engineering and materials science, heat-conductive properties are considered alongside factors such as geometry, contact resistance, and operating temperature. The term heat-conductive is often replaced by thermally conductive or good conductor of heat, especially in descriptions of composites and interfaces.