CP_MATERIAL

This function returns the specific heat capacity of a building, insulation, or refractory material selected by material ID or a close text match. Depending on the source table, the value may be constant or temperature-dependent.

Specific heat capacity links heat input to temperature rise:

q = m C_p \Delta T

where C_p is in J/kg/K, m is mass, and \Delta T is the temperature change.

Excel Usage

=CP_MATERIAL(ID, T)

ID (str, required): Material ID or search term (dimensionless).
T (float, optional, default: 298.15): Temperature of the material (K).

Returns (float): Heat capacity of the material (J/kg/K).

Example 1: Mineral fiber heat capacity

Inputs:

ID
Mineral fiber

Excel formula:

=CP_MATERIAL("Mineral fiber")

Expected output:

840

Example 2: Stainless steel heat capacity

Inputs:

ID
Metals, stainless steel

Excel formula:

=CP_MATERIAL("Metals, stainless steel")

Expected output:

460

Example 3: Soda lime glass heat capacity

Inputs:

ID
Glass, soda lime

Excel formula:

=CP_MATERIAL("Glass, soda lime")

Expected output:

750

Example 4: Fused silica heat capacity at 1000 K

Inputs:

ID	T
Fused silica	1000

Excel formula:

=CP_MATERIAL("Fused silica", 1000)

Expected output:

956.782

Python Code

Show Code

from ht.insulation import Cp_material as ht_Cp_material

def Cp_material(ID, T=298.15):
    """
    Return heat capacity for an insulating or building material.

    See: https://ht.readthedocs.io/en/latest/ht.insulation.html

    This example function is provided as-is without any representation of accuracy.

    Args:
        ID (str): Material ID or search term (dimensionless).
        T (float, optional): Temperature of the material (K). Default is 298.15.

    Returns:
        float: Heat capacity of the material (J/kg/K).
    """
    try:
        result = ht_Cp_material(ID, T)
        return float(result)
    except Exception as e:
        return f"Error: {str(e)}"

Online Calculator

ID *

Material ID or search term (dimensionless).

Temperature of the material (K).