Measurements of the thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of polymers

In this paper, the thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of nine polymers were measured by using the transient short-hot-wire method. The corresponding specific heat was measured with a commercial Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC). The effects of temperature on the thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and the product of density and specific heat are further discussed. The results show that the transient short-hot-wire method can be used to measure the thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and the product of density and specific heat of polymers within uncertainties of 3%; 6%, and 9%, respectively.