THERMAL-CONDUCTIVITY OF POLY(VINYL CHLORIDE) POLYCAPROLACTONE BLENDS

Thermal diffusivity, heat capacity, and density of polyvinyl chloride/ polycaprolactone (PVC/PCL) blends were measured by the laser flash met hod, DSC, and pycnometry, respectively. The thermal conductivity of th e PVC/PCL blends was determined from the results. The miscibility of t he blend and crystallinity of PCL were determined by DSC. The effect o f blend structure on thermal conductivity is discussed. The phase comp ositions of the PVC/PCL blends are of three types depending on PCL con tent: i.e., up to 33%, from 33 to 70%, and above 70% PCL by weight. Th ermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and heat capacity of the PVC/ PCL blends are strongly affected by the phase composition of the blend , which changes in a complicated way with PCL content. (C) 1994 John W iley & Sons, Inc.