Thermal conductivity the list of thermal conductivities. These should be considered approximate due to the uncertainties related to material definitions. High energy generation rates within electronics or turbines require the use of materials with high thermal conductivity such as copper "(see: Copper in heat exchangers)", aluminium, and silver. On the other hand, materials with low thermal conductance, such as polystyrene foam and fire brick, are used in building construction or in furnaces in an effort to slow the flow of heat, i.e. for insulation purposes. The reciprocal of thermal conductivity is "thermal resistivity", usually expressed in kelvin-meters per watt (K⋅m⋅W). For a
Thermal conductivity measurement bore. The ground thermal conductivity is estimated using the line source approximation method—plotting a straight line on the log of the thermal response measured. A very stable thermal source and pumping circuit are required for this procedure. More advanced Ground TRT methods are currently under development. The DOE is now validating a new Advanced Thermal Conductivity test said to require half the time as the existing approach, while also eliminating the requirement for a stable thermal source. This new technique is based on multi-dimensional model-based TRT data analysis. The laser flash method is used to measure thermal diffusivity of a