Data Useful in Heat and Mass Transfer

Whenever assigning property data in a heat transfer problem, bear in mind that many properties (especially liquid viscosity) are very sensitive to temperature changes. Pressure variations often have less impact on transport properties, although they can significantly alter thermodynamic properties such as the density of gases and liquid boiling points. Pressure is often important in phase change processes.

The thermal conductivity of solids can vary significantly with: alloying processing, density or compaction, and water content. For example, the conductivity of pure iron is 80W/m-K, of 1.0% carbon steel is 43 W/m-K, and of 304 stainless steel is 14 W/m-K, each at 293 K.

This page is divided into a few sections:

References for physical properties of matter
Selected physical constants
Selected conversion factors

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Some sources for physical properties of matter

NIST Chemistry Webbook
This is a very good source for fluid properties, which may be found on the Fluid Systems Page.
Y.S. Touloukian, ed., Thermophysical properties of matter, 14 vol., Purdue Univ., 1970-1978.
Library call no. TA418.52.P985 Barker and Science stacks
CINDAS Thermophysical Properties of Matter Database [TPMD]
This online database includes most of the contents of the Touloukian reference above. It can generate both tables and graphs, although the latter may lack the elegance of some of the better drawings in Touloukian.
B.E. Poling, et al., The properties of liquids and gases, 5th ed., McGraw-Hill, 2001.
Library call no. TP242.R357 2001 Science REF
N.B. Vargaftik, Handbook of physical properties of liquids and gases: pure substances and mixtures, 3rd ed., 1996.
Library call no. QC145.4.T5.V29713 1996 Barker REF
ASME Steam Tables for Industrial Use, 2000.
Library call no. TJ270.A86 2000 Barker REF
C.Y. Ho, Thermal conductivity of the elements: a comprehensive review, 1975.
Library call no. QC321.H6 Barker stacks and Science REF

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Some physical constants

2002 CODATA with (1 sigma) uncertainty
Avogadro's number	6.0221415(10) x 10²⁶ molecules/kmol
Boltzmann's constant	1.3806505(24) x 10^-23 J/K
Ideal gas constant	8314.472(15) J/kmol-K
Speed of light	2.99792458(0) x 10⁸ m/s
Gravitational acceleration	9.80665(0) m/s²
Stefan-Boltzmann constant	5.670400(40) x 10^-8 W/m²-K⁴

NIST physical constants web site

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Some conversion factors

Quantity	S.I. Units	=	Multiplier	x	Other Units
density	kg/m³	=	16.018	x	lbm/ft³
	kg/m³	=	10³	x	g/cm³
diffusivity	m²/s	=	0.092903	x	ft²/s
	m²/s	=	10^-6	x	centistokes
energy	J	=	1055.04	x	Btu
	J	=	4.1868	x	calorie
flow rate	m³/s	=	6.3090 x 10^-5	x	gal/min (gpm)
	m³/s	=	4.7195 x 10^-4	x	ft³/min (cfm)
heat flux	W/m²	=	3.154	x	Btu/hr-ft²
heat transfer coefficient	W/m²-K	=	5.67826	x	Btu/hr-ft²-F
length	m	=	0.0254	x	inches
	m	=	0.3048	x	feet
power	W	=	0.022597	x	ft-lb/min
	W	=	0.29307	x	Btu/hr
	W	=	745.700	x	horsepower
pressure	Pa	=	248.8	x	in. H₂O
	Pa	=	6894.8	x	psi
	Pa	=	101325.	x	atm
specific heat	J/kg-K	=	4186.9	x	Btu/lbm-F
	J/kg-K	=	4186.8	x	cal/g-C
thermal conductivity	W/m-K	=	1.7307	x	Btu/hr-ft-F
	W/m-K	=	418.68	x	cal/s-cm-C
dynamic viscosity	Pa-s	=	10^-3	x	centipoise
	Pa-s	=	1.4881	x	lbm/ft-s
	Pa-s	=	47.8803	x	lbf-s/ft²
temperature	K	=	5/9	x	R
	K	=	273.15 + C
	K	=	(459.67 + F)/1.8
Quantity	S.I. Unit	=	Multiplier	x	Other Unit

NIST booklet on SI units and conversion factors (pdf version of publication SP811)

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