Thermal Conductivity Testing of polymer composites

Polymers are increasingly engineered to manage heat, not just to insulate against it. Thermally conductive polymer composites are replacing metals in electronics and battery housings. Thermal interface materials (TIMs) depend on carefully tuned filler loadings to move heat across critical junctions. Nanofillers and additives such as graphene, boron nitride, and carbon nanotubes can shift thermal conductivity dramatically. Their effect also often depends on dispersion, loading, and orientation. On the processing side, the thermal behaviour of polymer melts influences cooling rates, cycle times, and part quality in extrusion and additive manufacturing (AM).

Each of these applications brings its own testing questions, and the Trident Thermal Conductivity Instrument offers several contact-based transient methods to answer them. With options come decisions. Choosing well starts with knowing what each method does best and what it needs from your sample.

The Modified Transient Plane Source (MTPS) method delivers rapid measurements from a single-sided sensor. That speed makes it well suited to R&D work such as screening filler and additive formulations, optimizing composites, and down-selecting candidates.

The Transient Plane Source (TPS) method covers a broad range of needs. At one end is standards-based bulk testing under ISO 22007-2 and ASTM E3088, which supports product validation and technical data sheet values. At the other end, advanced TPS utilities make it possible to test thin films, slabs, and anisotropic materials such as oriented or fiber-reinforced composites. Each utility comes with its own requirements for sample geometry, thickness, and supporting inputs. Knowing these requirements up front is the key to reliable results.

For polymer melts, the Transient Line Source (TLS) method follows ASTM D5930. It provides data relevant to extrusion and AM process modelling.

This webinar walks through each method in context. For each one, we cover how to recognize when it is the right tool for the task and what it requires for best results. Attendees will leave with a clear framework for selecting the right Trident method for their polymer samples, from early-stage R&D through QA/QC.