Determination of Coefficients of Thermal Conductivity (CTC) of Plastics Using Lee’s Disc Method (LDM)

Abstract

Coefficients of thermal conductivity of different kinds of plastics were determined using the Lee’s Disc Method (LDM). Eight plastics such as Polyethylene Terephathalate (PET), High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE), Polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS), Acroylonitril Butadiene Stryrene (ABS) and Polycarbonate (PC) were sampled at the Wurukum and Modern Markets in Makurdi and their thermal conductivity coefficients were obtained. The coefficient of thermal conductivity of PET was calculated as 0.15±0.01 Wm^-1K^-1, HDPE as 0.42±0.01, PVC as 0.23±0.01, LDPE as 0.31±0.01, PP as 0.10±0.01, PS as 0.03±0.01, ABS as 0.17±0.01 and PC as 0.19±0.01. The results are in good agreement with the experiment. PP has the least coefficient of thermal conductivity and it is recommended for making of utensils handles while PVC recommended for making of ceilings and drain-waste pipes.

Keywords: Coefficients of Thermal Conductivity, Plastics, Wurukum and Modern Markets, Makurdi.