What is W/mK?

W/mk is a property of materials and stands for watts per meter kelvin. It represents the heat conduction property of the material and specifies the rate of heat transfer. Heat energy is transferred more quickly between materials with high thermal conductivity.

What is W/mk?

The thermal conductivity coefficient k is represented as W/mK. If a material has a k-value of 1, it implies that for each degree of the temperature gradient between opposing sides of a substance, a 1 m cube of that material will transfer heat at a rate of 1 watt. A material will transfer less heat if the k-value is lower than 1. 

A material with high W/mK is known as a good heat conductor whereas a low W/mK material is a good heat insulator. Generally, a material is considered better if it has a low thermal conductivity because it transfers less heat energy. Unlike other physical qualities, thermal conductivity depends on many other factors; hence, the thermal conductivity of the same material can change under various environments. This comprises the material structure, temperature, humidity, density, pressure, ageing and phase.