This calculator produces thermal conductivity values for pure copper
and dilute copper alloys over the temperature range up to 300 K based
on a single value for low temperature thermal conductivity or
electrical resistivity. Please enter a value in one of the
fields below. The temperature range values may also be modified.
The equations are taken from Reference [1]; they
operate in a similar manner to equations for aluminium described
here,
and in more detail in Reference [2]. While
originally derived for pure copper (with RRR values of 20 and above),
they also appear to be applicable to dilute copper alloys (e.g. beryllium copper
and zirconium copper) with RRR values as low as 1 (Reference [3];
this reference gives recommended conductivity values for such alloys).
Values are generated for the equivalent residual resistivity ratio,
RRR* [2]. This can be considered to
be equal to the RRR for RRR>=10.
This page is currently in an experimental state. Although the results have been
checked, if you are using them for anything important, please do a quick sanity check first (e.g.
by comparing with textbook values for a given RRR).
I would appreciate reports of any problems (contact details given
here.)
[1] J. G. Hust and A. B. Lankford, "Thermal conductivity of aluminium,
copper, iron and tungsten from 1 K to the melting point",
National Bureau of Standards, Boulder, Colorado, 1984. NBSIR 84-3007.
[2] A. Woodcraft,
"Predicting the thermal conductivity of
aluminium alloys in the cryogenic to room temperature range",
Cryogenics 45(6): 421-432, 2005.
[3] A. Woodcraft,
"Zirconium Copper - a New Material for Use at Low
Temperatures?",
Proc. LT24, AIP volume CP850, pp. 1691-1692, 2006