New Model for the Prediction of the Pressure Dependence of Thermal Conductivity of Polymer Melts

Abstract

A new model was proposed for the prediction of the pressure dependence of the thermal conductivity of polymer melts. The model requires only a known or predicted atmospheric pressure thermal conductivity datum and the Tait equation parameters in the calculation of the thermal conductivity for polymer melts at high pressures. For eight polymer melt systems tested, the predicted average absolute deviation of the model is normally smaller than 10% for a wide pressure range. Because the model can be used for polymer systems where no thermal conductivity data exist, it is a predictive model with satisfactory accuracy, which is very convenient for practical use.