I'm not sure I fully understand the difference between thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity as thermal properties of a material and would appreciate if anyone could clarify. I understand thermal diffusivity is for a transient case and conductivity is for steady state. This is what I've understood of the two parameters: conductivity: rate at which heat flows through a material when one side is hot and the other is cold [W/mK] diffusivity: a measure of how long it takes for a temperature pulse to traverse a certain thickness when a heat source is briefly applied to one side of a material. [m2/s] If a material has high conductivity, wouldn't it automatically have low diffusivity as well? In this case why is there a need to define both of these? Also in terms of design, if say a saucepan needs a material with high conductivity to ensure the heat from the stove is transferred through the base of the saucepan and to the food. It would also need a low diffusivity as well so that the material gets heated quickly.