The thermal conductivity and diffusivity of polyethylene solids and melts

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Abstract
A miniaturized version of a recently developed apparatus has been constructed to measure both the thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of polymer melts and solids. The apparatus was employed to measure the thermal conductivity and diffusivity of a number of polyethylene resins of varying density and molecular weight distribution. The results obtained with the miniaturized unit are in good agreement with those obtained with the original larger apparatus. Moreover, the dependence of thermal conductivity and diffusivity on temperature, resin density, and molecular weight parameters has been evaluated with the aid of the new apparatus. Empirical relationships involving the quantity (MwMn)1/2 have been found for the dependence of thermal conductivity and diffusivity on molecular weight.