The theories of thermal transport in polymers, which are mainly qualitative, are reviewed. The behaviour of amorphous polymers is better understood than that of partially crystalline ones. An apparatus for measuring the thermal conductivity of solid and molten polymers from room temperature to 250 degrees C is described. 'Edge effects' are eliminated by enclosing the heat source and samples inside the heat sink; hence guard rings are not used. The heat flow is three dimensional and the conductivity is obtained by a numerical calculation. Two disc shaped samples 48mm diameter and 2mm thick are required. An apparatus for measuring the thermal diffusivity of solid and molten polymers from room temperature to 250 degrees C is also described. Disc samples the same size as for the conductivity apparatus are used and the heat equation is again solved numerically. Conductivity and diffusivity results are reported for high density polyethylene, polypropylene, three grades of polymethyl methacrylate, three grades of polystyrene, and a series of carbon black filled natural rubber compounds. To show the effect of molecular weight, conductivity results for a range of polyethylene glycols and a range of silicone fluids are also presented.

Presents a solid introduction to thermal analysis, methods, instrumentation, calibration, and application along with the necessary theoretical background. Useful to chemists, physicists, materials scientists, and engineers who are new to thermal analysis techniques, and to existing users of thermal analysis who wish expand their experience to new techniques and applications Topics covered include Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Differential Thermal Analysis (DSC/DTA), Thermogravimetry, Thermomechanical Analysis and Dilatometry, Dynamic Mechanical Analysis, Micro-Thermal Analysis, Hot Stage Microscopy, and Instrumentation. Written by experts in the various areas of thermal analysis Relevant and detailed experiments and examples follow each chapter.