Thermal Diffusivity Converter
Free Thermal diffusivity Converter for other units. Enter a value to see equivalent measurements across systems. Enter your values for instant results.
Formula
alpha = k / (rho x cp) | converted = value x (fromFactor / toFactor)
Thermal diffusivity (alpha) equals thermal conductivity divided by density times specific heat capacity. Unit conversion multiplies the value by the ratio of the source unit factor to the target unit factor, both relative to the SI base unit m\u00B2/s.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Aluminum Diffusivity Conversion
Problem: Convert aluminum thermal diffusivity of 9.7 x 10^-5 m\u00B2/s to cm\u00B2/s.
Solution: 9.7e-5 m\u00B2/s x (1 / 1e-4) = 0.97 cm\u00B2/s
Result: 9.7 x 10^-5 m\u00B2/s = 0.97 cm\u00B2/s
Example 2: Imperial to SI Conversion
Problem: Convert 1.0 ft\u00B2/h to m\u00B2/s.
Solution: 1.0 ft\u00B2/h = 1.0 x 0.092903 / 3600 = 2.5806e-5 m\u00B2/s
Result: 1.0 ft\u00B2/h = 2.5806 x 10^-5 m\u00B2/s
Frequently Asked Questions
What is thermal diffusivity?
Thermal diffusivity is a material property that measures how quickly heat spreads through a substance. It is defined as the ratio of thermal conductivity to the product of density and specific heat capacity, expressed as alpha = k / (rho * cp). The SI unit is meters squared per second (m²/s). Materials with high thermal diffusivity, like metals, heat up and cool down faster than materials with low thermal diffusivity, like wood or rubber.
How is thermal diffusivity different from thermal conductivity?
Thermal conductivity (k) measures a material's ability to conduct heat in steady state, while thermal diffusivity (alpha) describes how quickly temperature changes propagate through a material in transient conditions. A material can have high conductivity but low diffusivity if it has a high volumetric heat capacity. Thermal diffusivity accounts for both the ability to conduct heat and the amount of energy needed to change temperature.
What are typical thermal diffusivity values for common materials?
Copper has a thermal diffusivity of about 1.11 x 10^-4 m²/s, aluminum is about 9.7 x 10^-5 m²/s, steel is around 1.5 x 10^-5 m²/s, and water is approximately 1.43 x 10^-7 m²/s. Insulators like wood have very low values around 1.5 x 10^-7 m²/s. These values help engineers predict how fast heat will diffuse through different materials in applications like casting and heat treatment.
Why do engineers need to convert thermal diffusivity units?
Engineers working across international teams or with legacy data often encounter thermal diffusivity in different unit systems. American engineering references may use ft²/s or ft²/h, while scientific literature uses m²/s or cm²/s. Consistent units are critical in heat transfer calculations such as the Fourier number (Fo = alpha * t / L²), where mismatched units lead to incorrect results in thermal analysis and simulation.
What formula does Thermal Diffusivity Converter use?
The formula used is described in the Formula section on this page. It is based on widely accepted standards in the relevant field. If you need a specific reference or citation, the References section provides links to authoritative sources.
Is my data stored or sent to a server?
No. All calculations run entirely in your browser using JavaScript. No data you enter is ever transmitted to any server or stored anywhere. Your inputs remain completely private.