Thermal conductivity of Tecamax® SRP from millikelvin temperatures to room temperature

Abstract

Tecamax® SRP (self-reinforced polyphenylene) is a new commercially available amorphous polymer which is suitable for use at cryogenic temperatures. It has a high tensile strength (210 MPa at room temperature), resulting from the molecular structure of the polymer rather than by the addition of reinforcing materials. We have measured the thermal conductivity between 60 mK and 280 K. We find that the conductivity below 10 K is similar to, but lower than, most amorphous materials, and the material offers a good combination of low conductivity at low temperatures and high tensile strength. Our results suggest that the material may in fact have a small crystalline component, which may be a partial explanation for the low conductivity. Above 10 K, the temperature dependence of the conductivity is different from most amorphous materials. We are unaware of previous measurements of the thermal conductivity of this material, even at room temperature.

An empirical model to predict temperature‐dependent thermal conductivity of amorphous polymers

“…The experimental data for temperature‐dependent thermal conductivity of the polymers considered in this study are shown in Figure . The fundamental material properties considered in defining the modal properties are the speed of sound and number density.…”

“…The experimental data for temperature-dependent thermal conductivity of the polymers considered in this study are shown in Figure 2. 11,12,15,16,[22][23][24] The fundamental material properties considered in defining the modal properties are the speed of sound and number density. We use the average value of the longitudinal and transverse modes as the speed of sound in the material.…”

“…Experimental data for temperature‐dependent thermal conductivity is available for several amorphous materials and disordered solids, some of which are polymers. These measurements span temperatures ranging from ∼1 K up to ∼300 K. The experimental data for temperature‐dependent thermal conductivity for twelve polymers are shown in Figure . A couple of models exist that give an estimate of the thermal conductivity near room temperature but they are less accurate over a wide range of temperatures, suggesting that these models may not capture the underlying physics describing the vibrational modes well.…”

“…These measurements span temperatures ranging from $1 K up to $300 K. The experimental data for temperature-dependent thermal conductivity for twelve polymers are shown in Figure 2. 11,12,15,16,[22][23][24] A couple of models 8,9 exist that give an estimate of the thermal conductivity near room temperature but they are less accurate over a wide range of temperatures, suggesting that these models may not capture the underlying Additional Supporting Information may be found in the online version of this article. physics describing the vibrational modes well.…”