Is porecelain a conductor or an insulator?

Answer 1

Porcelain has a typical thermal conductivity of 1.5 W/(m·K).

Obviously, this means nothing to you without comparing it to other materials you may be familiar with.

The thermal conductivity of porcelain is much less than that of the average metal which has a thermal conductivity greater than 200 W/(m·K) . It is far from being an insulator though, which have k values less than 0.16 W/(m·K)!

If you want to give yourself a good idea of what is a good conductor of heat, you can exploit a bit of knowledge of thermodynamics.

We know that objects in thermal equilibrium with each other are also at the same temperature. So basically, if you think of your room, all the objects there are in the same environment, and assuming no object has been heated or cooled more than another, everything is at the same temperature (probably room temperature!)

This sounds obvious enough. But now, find something metallic. As soon as you touch it, it will feel much colder than say, the paper in the printer. But remember, they are both at the same temperature! You may find it hard to believe!

The feeling of 'coldness' is explained by the difference in thermal conductivity of the two materials.

From basic thermodynamics, two objects in thermal contact with exchange thermal energy until the two are at equilibrium (at the same temperature). Now, your body is hotter than the room temperature (which is why you're constantly using energy to maintain body temperature) so when you touch an object, heat is exchanged until you are both at the same temperature.

Since metals have a high thermal conductivity, it will suck the heat from your fingers faster than most other things in your room, but will also reach equilibrium faster, so it will feel colder, but for a shorter time. Try this with a small metallic object!

So, if you know that an object is at thermal equilibrium, you can get an idea of its relative thermal conductivity simply by touching it, and comparing how cold it feels compared to other objects in equilibrium with it.

Answer 2

No, porcelain is an insulating material, making it not conductive.

Answer 3

No, porcelain is not a good conductor. It is an exellent insulator, of both heat and electricity.

Answer 4

Very poor - porcelain is used widely as an insulator (most old fashioned light bulbs has porcelain.

Answer 5

Porcelain is an insulator. In general, most ceramics (the category that includes porcelain) are insulators.

Answer 6

No. Porcelain is quite a good insulator.

Answer 7

No.