Abstract

YANEZ, G.; RODRIGUEZ - PEREZ, M. A  and  ALMANZA, O. A.. LDPE and PP thermal diffusivity in molten state. Ing. Investig. [online]. 2013, vol.33, n.2, pp.5-8. ISSN 0120-5609.

Experimental results are reported for measuring the thermal diffusivity of two polymer species: low density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP). Measurements were taken in unsteady state heat flow conditions around the materials' melting temperature, using a device specially constructed for this purpose. The experimental results for the sample's temperature profile (temperature gradient product) were adjusted with the theoretical results obtained by solving the heat conduction equation. Diffusivity values were α =6.92 x 10^-7 m²/s for LDPE and α =5.53 x 10^-7 m²/s for PP. This was pioneering work in measuring this property at high temperatures in non-stationary state heat flow conditions and should be useful in the search for improving the conditions for processing these materials.

Keywords : low density polyethylene (LDPE); polypropylene (PP); diffusivity.

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