A model for estimation of thermal conductivity of nonmetal crystals Original Research Article

An approximation equation for the pressure p and temperature T dependence of thermal conductivity K for nonmetal crystals is developed. The common used empirical equations KT=A1+B1p and Kp=A2+B2/T at low pressures and low temperatures, respectively, are deduced from the equation, where A1, B1, A2 and B2 are empirical constants and the subscripts T and p refer to isothermal and isobaric processes, respectively. The responses of K under high pressures, high temperatures and shock compression are discussed and two consequences for the application of the equation presented by this article are obtained.