MEASUREMENT OF TRANSIENT THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY IN POLYMERS

Authors: Jayasinghe A.I. / K.Kokulan Supervisors: Mr. Weragoda V. S. C.

ABSTRACT
This project is based on Measurement of transient thermal conductivity of polymer s. To achieve the target different transient methods were studied, analyzed and discussed. Finally suitable method (FITCH method) was proposed to conduct the project. To do the project successfully a meter was modified according to the requirements. After the Modification of the apparatus measurements will be taken.

1. INTRODUCTION
Thermal conductivity is a physical quantity representing the heat conducting characteristic of a matter, but change of material structure and different content of impurity have obvious influence on it, therefore ,the thermal conductivity of material often needs to be measured on particular requires. Two classes of methods exist to measure the thermal conductivity of a sample: steady-state and nonsteady-state methods. Non-steady-state methods are called as transient methods. This project is based on transient methods. Fitch method is a one of the best transient method to measure the thermal conductivity of the poor conductors such as rubber.

the vessel. The heat transfer areas are smooth to minimize contact resistance. The roles of heat sink and heat source are reversed when the vessel is maintained at a temperature lower than that of the copper block. 1.3 Objectives The objective of this project is increasing the efficient of curing process. 1.1.4 Expected outcome By the experiment and calculation find the thermal conductivity of different type of polymers.

2. METHODOLOGY
In this project first thing that have to be done is the modification of the apparatus. If the copper block kept on the sample, weight of the copper block will act on the sample. Therefore when heating the sample dimensions of the sample vary. To avoid that we have to design a stand keep the block.

The Fitch method uses a plane source of heat. It is applicable to poor conductors of heat that can be formed into a slab. The Fitch apparatus consists of a heat source and a heat sink. The heat source is a constant temperature vessel, insulated on the sides and with a highly conductive bottom. The heat sink is a copper block, insulated on all sides but the one facing

Another problem is when heating the sample it may be liquefied. Therefore a container should be

mc = mass of copper block [kg] Cpc = specific heat of copper [J/kgC] t = time [s] T = temperature of copper block [C] T0 = initial temperature [C] T = constant temperature of vessel bottom [C]

like

this.

The plot of the dimensionless temperature against time on semi log paper is linear with an initial curvilinear part. The thermal conductivity of the sample is calculated from the slope of linear part of this plot, the heat capacity of the copper block, and the thickness and heat transfer area of the sample.

Preparation of sample
The polymer sample should be prepared with the disk shape with the diameter equal to the heater. The thickness not be high. Surface of the sample should be very smooth and should have a good thermal contact with the heater and copper block.

3. RESULT AND DISCUSSION

To calculate thermal conductivity by using other transient method some other properties of the polymer sample also needed such as density, Thermal diffusivity. These properties will vary with the temperature. Therefore it is difficult to calculate the thermal conductivity by using those methods. But in Fitch method without those properties thermal conductivity can calculate.

Sample heating
Initially the sample is in thermal equilibrium with the copper block. The vessel, maintained at a temperature different - typically by about 20 C - from this temperature, is brought into contact with the sample. Thermocouples record the temperature history of the copper block, which is assumed to have a uniform temperature distribution, and the temperature of the bottom of the vessel. The model assumes a linear temperature profile, negligible heat storage in the sample, and negligible surface contact resistance. Heat transfer between the copper block and its insulation is assumed negligible. Using these assumptions, an expression was derived for the temperature of the copper block: ln[(T0 T )/(T - T) ] = kAt / LmcCpc where: A = heat transfer area, [m2] k = thermal conductivity of sample [W/mC] L = thickness of sample [m]

3. CONCLUSION
Fitch Method is the best method to calculate the thermal conductivity of polymers. Compare with other method accuracy of this method is high.

5. REFERENCES
1. 2. http://en. Wikipedia.org /wiki / Thermal_ conductivity_ measurement Measurement of Thermal conductivity Krishpersad Manohar , David W. Yarbrough , and James R. Booth hps://en.china-didac.com/products Experiment Determination of Rubber curing Reaction Heat using the Transient Heat conduction Equation M.Jumma and M. Bafarnec Determination of Thermal conductivity, Specific Heat and Thermal Diffusivity of Borage Seeds W.Yang , S.Sokhansanj , J. Tang , P.Winter

3. 4.

5.