What is the primary use of thermal conductivity in material science?

Thermal conductivity is primarily utilized in material science to evaluate insulation properties. This property measures how well a material conducts heat. Materials with low thermal conductivity are considered good insulators, meaning they do not transfer heat easily, which is essential in applications where heat retention or dissipation is critical, such as in building insulation, thermal barriers, and electronic devices.

In contrast, ductility relates to how a material can deform under tensile stress, which is a different aspect of material behavior not directly linked to thermal conductivity. Measuring light absorption deals with optical properties of materials, and enhancing magnetic properties is associated with the electromagnetic characteristics rather than thermal behavior. Thus, the focus on thermal conductivity directly correlates with its primary use in assessing materials' insulation capabilities.