Low Heat/Thermal Conductivity Electric Conductive Materials

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on electric conductive materials with low thermal conductivity, highlighting stainless steel alloys, particularly those used in cookware, as surprising candidates. Multi-layer laminates are suggested for applications requiring perpendicular arrangements of low thermal and high electrical conductivity. Key materials mentioned include superconductors like NbTiN for cryogenic applications and copper-beryllium and copper-nickel alloys, which are favored for their lower thermal conductivity compared to pure metals. The context of thermoelectric cooling is emphasized as a relevant application area.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of thermoelectric materials and their requirements
  • Knowledge of superconducting materials, specifically NbTiN
  • Familiarity with stainless steel alloys and their properties
  • Basic principles of electrical and thermal conductivity
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the properties and applications of thermoelectric cooling materials
  • Explore the characteristics of NbTiN in cryogenic applications
  • Investigate the performance of copper-beryllium and copper-nickel alloys
  • Learn about multi-layer laminate designs for thermal and electrical applications
USEFUL FOR

Engineers, materials scientists, and researchers focused on developing electric conductive materials with low thermal conductivity for applications in thermoelectric cooling and superconductivity.

abdulbadii
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TL;DR
What is an electric conductive material which is the least heat/thermal conductive?
What is/are the electric conductive material(s) which has/have the least heat/thermal conductive?
 
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What materials have you looked at so far? What is the application? Will this be a thin film, a solid wire or bus bar, or a liquid maybe? The more details you can give, the better we will be able to help you.
 
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abdulbadii said:
What is/are the electric conductive material(s) which has/have the least heat/thermal conductive?
Some stainless steel alloys used for cookware or kettles may surprise you. The polished surface, and the internal grain structure, can be used to advantage.

If the low thermal conduction, and the high electrical conduction, can be arranged to be perpendicular, then consider a multi-layer laminate.

What is the application ?
 
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Try searching thermoelectric cooling. From one of the hits:

Requirements for thermoelectric materials:
High electrical conductivity (to reduce electrical resistance, a source of waste heat);
Low thermal conductivity (so that heat doesn't come back from the hot side to the cool side); this usually translates to heavy elements


Sounds like what you are looking for.
 
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Superconducting materials (both conventional and HTS), this is what is used in cryogenic applications. E.g. NbTiN is used both for DC and RF applications and that the electrical losses are very low is of course a bonus.

As has already been mentioned stainless steal is also an option, but might be a bit too lossy for many applications.
Generally speaking, alloys have lower thermal conductivity than "pure" metals and are therefore often used. copper-beryllium and copper-nickel would be two widely used examples.
 
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