Question

Which of the following is a requirement for thermal insulation in materials?

(a) High specific gravity

(b) High specific heat

(c) Low thermal conductivity

(d) Non-inflammability

I have been asked this question by my college professor while I was bunking the class.

This question is from Properties of Insulation topic in chapter Magnetic & Insulating Materials of Engineering Material & Metallurgy

Answer 1

Right choice is (c) Low thermal conductivity

Easy explanation: Thermal resistance of a material is the property which resists the flow (or rate of flow) of heat in a material. For a material to be a good thermal insulator, it must have low thermal conductivity. Other requirements of thermal insulators are low specific gravity and specific heat, along with being fire and vibration resistant.