Thermal Conductivity of Boards: What 0.167 W/mK Tells You
Thermal conductivity tells you how easily heat moves through a material. The unit is watts per metre kelvin, written W/mK. A lower number means the material slows heat down better, which is what you want for insulation.
A simple picture
A woollen jumper keeps you warm because wool has low conductivity. A metal spoon in hot tea gets hot fast because metal has high conductivity.
What is the BIOMEBOARD™ value?
Our data sheet lists 0.167 W/mK, measured using the ISO 22007-2 method at the Mahindra TERI Centre of Excellence.
How does it compare?
Published values depend on density, moisture and test method, so treat these as rough ranges:
- Insulation materials such as rockwool: about 0.03 to 0.04
- MDF: roughly 0.10 to 0.14
- Plywood: roughly 0.12 to 0.17
- BIOMEBOARD™: 0.167 In plain words, BIOMEBOARD™ is similar to, or slightly above, ordinary wood boards. That means it is not better at stopping heat than MDF or plywood.
So should you buy it for insulation?
No. It is a board for furniture, partitions and panels, not an insulation product. If you need to keep heat in or out, add a real insulation layer.
Why share the number at all?
Because honest data helps designers. If you are working out the heat flow through a wall that includes our board, you now have a tested figure and the method behind it. Many bio-based boards are sold without any thermal test.
What other values were measured?
Alongside conductivity, the test reports thermal diffusivity, which is how fast heat spreads, and specific heat capacity, which is how much heat the material stores.
What affects the number?
- Density: denser boards usually conduct more.
- Moisture: damp boards conduct more.
- Thickness and test method: different labs and set-ups give different results. That is why comparing numbers from different sources must be done carefully.
When does thermal conductivity matter?
- When a board sits in an outside wall.
- When you calculate heat flow through a built-up wall.
- When you want to keep a cold room cold. For ordinary furniture and interior partitions, it matters very little.
What to use for insulation
Use real insulation materials such as rockwool, glass wool or foam boards, placed in the wall. Then use boards like BIOMEBOARD™ as the finish.
FAQs
What is thermal conductivity?
How well heat travels through a material.
Is a low or high value better?
Low, if you want insulation.
Is BIOMEBOARD™ a good insulator?
No. It is similar to common wood boards.
Does this affect room comfort?
Only slightly, in most furniture and partition uses.
What is a U-value?
It shows how well a whole wall, roof or window keeps heat in. It combines the conductivity and the thickness of every layer.
Does moisture change the result?
Yes. Damp boards conduct heat more easily, so keep boards dry in use and in storage.
Where can I see the test report?
Request the thermal test and we will share it.