How It Works:

This calculator estimates the time it takes for heat to penetrate through a material and reach the opposite side. The calculation is based on the principles of heat conduction, which describe how heat spreads through materials over time.

• Distance/Thickness (x): This is the physical distance (in meters) that heat must travel through the material. The thicker the material, the longer it takes for heat to penetrate. If the distance is zero, it implies there is no material for heat to travel through, and the penetration time would also be zero.
• Thermal Diffusivity (α): This is a material property that indicates how quickly heat spreads through the material. It depends on the material's ability to conduct heat, its density, and its specific heat capacity. A higher thermal diffusivity means heat spreads faster, reducing the penetration time. If thermal diffusivity is zero, it implies the material does not conduct heat at all, and the penetration time would be infinite.

The calculator uses the relationship between the distance heat must travel and the material's thermal diffusivity to estimate the time required for heat to penetrate the material. The calculation accounts for the fact that heat spreads in a diffusive manner, meaning it takes longer to penetrate thicker materials and materials with lower thermal diffusivity.

Example: For a material with a thickness of 0.05 meters and a thermal diffusivity of 0.0000012 m²/s, the calculator estimates that it would take approximately 174 seconds for the heat to penetrate through the material and be felt on the other side.