Trident™ Application Highlight: Thermal Conductivity of Polymeric Thin Films Using the TPS Thin Films Utility
This document highlights the use of the Transient Plane Source (TPS) method, via the Thin Films Utility, in the characterization of thermal conductivity of polymeric thin films.
Thin films are used across a broad range of applications including protective optical and electrical coatings, thin-film photovoltaic cells, flexible electronics, and thin-film batteries. While thin-film materials have existed for decades, thermal conductivity measurement methodologies have traditionally focused on bulk samples, and the capability to characterize these specialty materials has generally lagged application development. A transient approach adapted specifically for thin films, per ISO 22007-2, addresses this gap.
Figure 1. Thin film applications: flexible electronics with embedded components in thermally and electrically insulating Kapton film (Copyright: Wikipedia Commons, 2020).
Measurements were performed using the Trident Thermal Conductivity Instrument equipped with the TPS sensor and the Thin Films Utility, per ISO 22007-2. Films tested included Kapton C, Nomex, Kapton HN, Mylar, polypropylene, and cellulose acetate. A separate validation study tested a 127 μm PEEK film across all three sensor sizes at room temperature. Results were compared against published literature values.To read more, download the PDF below!