What is the process of heat transfer through material called?

The process of heat transfer through material is known as conduction. This occurs when heat energy moves from one molecule to another within a solid material. For instance, when you place a metal rod in a flame, the heat from the fire is absorbed by the molecules in the rod. These molecules then vibrate faster and transfer energy to neighboring molecules, effectively transferring heat through the solid.

Conduction is crucial in many applications within the sheet metal industry, particularly when dealing with welding processes, where understanding how materials will respond to heat exposure can influence the chosen techniques and ensure the integrity of the joints being formed. The relationship between temperature change and material properties becomes critical for design and function.

Other forms of heat transfer such as convection and radiation pertain to different mechanisms. Convection involves the movement of heat through fluids (liquids and gases) and is influenced by the flow of the fluid itself. Radiation describes heat transfer through electromagnetic waves, which doesn’t require a medium and occurs through space. Sublimation refers to the phase transition from solid to gas without passing through a liquid phase, and while it involves heat transfer, it does not directly relate to the conduction mechanism in solid materials.