Thermal conductivity of plastics

Special engineering plastics have been widely used in many fields due to their unique performance advantages. Among them, thermal conductivity, as a key indicator to measure the thermal conductivity of materials, has a significant impact on the practical application of special engineering plastics.

PEEK is highly favored in aerospace, automotive manufacturing, electronics and other fields due to its excellent comprehensive performance. The thermal conductivity of unmodified PEEK is generally between 0.25-0.35W/(m · K), with mediocre performance in terms of thermal conductivity. However, when modified with fillers such as boron nitride and silicon carbide, its thermal conductivity can be significantly increased to 1.5-5W/(m · K), and even exceed 10W/(m · K) under specific conditions. In the manufacturing of aircraft engine components, high thermal conductivity modified PEEK materials can effectively dissipate heat, reduce component temperature, and improve engine efficiency and reliability.

Polyetherimide (PEI) is a high-performance thermoplastic engineering plastic with outstanding high temperature resistance, high strength, and dimensional stability. The thermal conductivity of unmodified PEI is usually between 0.2-0.3W/(m · K). By adding high thermal conductivity carbon fibers, graphene nanosheets, etc. for modification, the thermal conductivity can be increased to 2-6W/(m · K). In the field of electronic appliances, such as the heat dissipation module of laptops, modified PEI material can be used to manufacture heat dissipation frames, which can efficiently conduct heat and ensure stable operation of electronic devices.

Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) has good chemical stability and mechanical properties, with an unmodified thermal conductivity of approximately 0.2-0.3W/(m · K). After modification with fillers such as alumina and aluminum nitride, the thermal conductivity of PPS can be increased to 1-3W/(m · K), and further improved to 3-8W/(m · K) when modified with carbon nanotubes. In chemical equipment, high thermal conductivity modified PPS materials can be used to manufacture heat exchanger components, improve heat exchange efficiency, and reduce energy consumption.

Polyphenylsulfone resin (PPSU) is an amorphous thermoplastic with high transparency and hydrolytic stability. The thermal conductivity of unmodified PPSU is around 0.2-0.25W/(m · K).

Polysulfone (PSU) is a slightly amber colored amorphous transparent or semi transparent polymer with excellent heat resistance, water resistance, and insulation properties. The thermal conductivity of unmodified PSU is approximately 0.22-0.3W/(m · K).  widely used in transformers, high-voltage switches and other equipment to ensure timely heat dissipation during operation and good insulation performance.

The thermal conductivity of special engineering plastics has been significantly improved after modification, which not only broadens their application range under harsh conditions such as high temperature and high power, but also promotes technological progress in related fields. With the continuous development of materials science, it is expected that special engineering plastics and their modified materials with better thermal conductivity and comprehensive performance will be developed in the future, providing strong support for innovative development in more fields.