Metals - Specific Heats

The specific heat of metals and metalloids (semimetals) are given in the table below.

• Specific heat online unit converter

See also tabulated values for gases, food and foodstuff, common liquids and fluids, common solids and other common substances as well as values of molar specific heat for common organic substances and inorganic substances.

Metalloids - also known as semimetals - are elements containing properties similar and midway between metals and nonmetals.

• 1 J/(kg K) = 2.389×10^-4 kcal/(kg ^oC) = 2.389×10^-4 Btu/lb_m^oF
• 1 kJ/kgK = 0.2389 kcal/(kg ^oC) = 0.2389 Btu/lb_m^oF = 10³ J/(kg ^oC) = 1 J/(g ^oC)
• 1 Btu/lb_m^oF = 4186.8 J/ (kg K) = 1 kcal/(kg ^oC)
• 1 kcal/(kg ^oC) = 4186.8 J/ (kg K) = 1 Btu/lb_m^oF

For conversion of units, use the Specific heat online unit converter.

See also tabulated values for Gases, Food and foodstuff, Common liquids and fluids, Common solids and other Common substances as well as values of molar specific heat for common organic substances and inorganic substances.

Heating Energy

The energy required to heat a product can be calculated as

q = c_p m dt                                           (1)

where

q = heat required (kJ)

c_p = specific heat (kJ/kg K, kJ/kg C°)

dt = temperature difference (K, C°)

Example - Heating Carbon Steel

2 kg of carbon steel is heated from 20 ^oC to 100 ^oC. The specific heat of carbon steel is 0.49 kJ/kgC° and the heat required can be calculated as

q = (0.49 kJ/kg ^oC) (2 kg) ((100 ^oC) - (20 ^oC)) 

     = 78.4 (kJ)