Aluminum and copper are two common materials with distinct thermal characteristics that influence their applications in engineering and construction.
For aluminum, its density is about 2700 kg/m³, which makes it a lightweight option for many applications. Its specific heat capacity is approximately 900 J/kg·K, indicating how much heat is needed to raise the temperature of 1 kg of aluminum by 1 Kelvin. Additionally, aluminum has a thermal conductivity of 235 W/m·K, which means it can effectively transfer heat.
Copper, on the other hand, is much denser at 8900 kg/m³. While the specific heat capacity of copper is not provided, we know that it generally has a lower specific heat compared to aluminum, which means it heats up and cools down quicker. Copper excels in thermal conductivity with a value of 401 W/m·K, making it one of the best materials for heat transfer applications.
In summary, while aluminum is lightweight and has good thermal properties, copper offers superior conductivity, making it ideal for applications where heat transfer is critical.