What Is a Thermal Interface Material Conductivity?

For the case of one-dimensional heat-flow, thermal conductivity (K) is defined as follows (fourier's law)

Equation: K = q • t / A • △T

where: q = heat flow (or power) in Watts

t = length of heat path (i.e., interface thickness) in meters

A = area in meters

△T = temperature difference across the interface, in degree C

Thermal conductivity is often expressed in reduced units of W/m.K or "Watts permeter-Kelvin"

It's important to remember that thermal conductivity is a material (i.e., "bulk”or "intrinsic"') property and does not depend on the geometry of the test assembly. It simply describes the ability of a given material to transfer heat through internal heat conduction. Most critically, it does not account for any interfacial effects that may impede heat-flow, often to a significant degree.

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