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Aluminum is one of the best heat conducting metals. That is why aluminum is often used to make radiators, cooling devices in computers, and kitchen pans.

Alas, of the common metals, both copper and silver (silver being the best) are better conductors of heat than aluminum.

Thermal conductivity is usually rated in W/mk where 1W/mk = 0.5779Btu/(ft hr0F). With out going in to a long physics discussion; Of the metals, Aluminum fall in third place at 250W/mk.

Silver(429 W/mk) and Copper (401W/mk) are much better conductors. Some ratings of other materials are: Brass 109, Carbon Steel 54, Gold 310, Iron 80, Marble 2 to 2.9, Rock 2 to 7, wood 0.07 to 0.147, Water 0.58.

Far down the list is foamed plastic at 0.03 Nitrogen at 0.024.

Believe it or not, Helium and Hydrogen at 0.142 and 0.168 are better conductors than wood or foamed plastic.

A longer list can be found at http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/thermal-conductivity-d_429.html

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