Ethan Clarke
Plastic is generally considered a poor conductor of heat, but recent developments in polymer science have led to the creation of plastics with higher thermal conductivity. Traditionally, plastic has been used as an insulator to protect electrical components and systems, as its molecular structure prevents the transfer of thermal energy. However, engineers at MIT have developed a polymer thermal conductor that dissipates heat rather than insulating it, addressing the issue of overheating in electronic devices. This discovery has significant implications for the future of electronics, as it may lead to the development of self-cooling casings for common devices such as laptops and mobile phones.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Good heat conductor | No |
| Poor heat conductor | Yes |
| Good insulator | Yes |
| Good electrical conductor | No |
| Used in self-cooling casings for electronics | Possible |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic is a good insulator
Plastic's ability to efficiently trap heat makes it an excellent insulator for items like coffee cup sleeves. However, this insulating property can be a disadvantage in products such as plastic casings for laptops and mobile phones, as the trapped heat can cause these devices to overheat.
While most plastics are poor conductors of heat, some plastics have higher levels of thermal conductivity than others. Synthetic polymers, for example, have high conductivity traits and can act as electrical conductors. On the other hand, polyurethane and polystyrene, two common types of household plastics, have lower thermal conductivity.
Engineers at MIT have developed a polymer thermal conductor that works counterintuitively as a heat conductor, dissipating heat rather than insulating it. This new polymer is lightweight and flexible, and it can conduct heat 10 times more effectively than most commercially used polymers. It is believed that polymers could be used as self-cooling alternatives to existing electronics casings.
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Some plastics conduct heat better than others
Plastic is generally not considered a good conductor of heat. It is often used as an insulator, trapping heat rather than dissipating it. However, some plastics conduct heat better than others.
Plastics with low thermal conductivity include polyurethane and polystyrene, which are commonly used in household items. On the other hand, synthetic polymers can have high conductivity and act as electrical conductors.
Engineers at MIT have developed a polymer thermal conductor that works counterintuitively as it dissipates heat rather than insulating it. This plastic material can conduct heat 10 times more efficiently than most commercially used polymers and 300 times more than ordinary plastics. The polymer, known as polythiophene, is a type of conjugated polymer commonly used in electronic devices.
Another example of a heat-conducting plastic is CoolPoly, a thermally conductive polypropylene (PP) compound. When compared to a standard PP panel, the CoolPoly panel conducted heat away from a hot spot, resulting in a more isothermic profile with a temperature variation of only 4° C throughout the panel. In contrast, the standard PP panel showed a 24° C temperature difference between its hottest and coolest points.
The ability of certain plastics to conduct heat better than others has led to their use in various applications, such as self-cooling casings for electronics, custom-molded heat sinks, and tubing for heat exchangers. These plastics offer new opportunities for thermal management applications, replacing metals and ceramics in some cases.
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MIT's heat-conducting plastic
Plastic is typically a poor conductor of heat, but it is an excellent insulator. This makes it a good choice for items like coffee cup sleeves, but not so much for plastic casings for laptops and mobile phones, which can overheat.
However, in 2018, engineers at MIT developed a polymer thermal conductor—a plastic material that works as a heat conductor, dissipating heat rather than insulating it. The new polymers, which are lightweight and flexible, can conduct 10 times as much heat as most commercially used polymers.
The team, led by Yanfei Xu, a postdoc in MIT's Department of Mechanical Engineering, engineered polymers with high thermal conductivity by simultaneously engineering intramolecular and intermolecular forces. This enabled efficient heat transport along and between polymer chains. The resulting chains allowed heat to move easily along and through the material, and the polymer conducted 300 times as much heat compared to ordinary plastics.
The MIT team's polymer thermal conductor may lead to self-cooling casings for common electronics, replacing metals as a lightweight, flexible, and corrosion-resistant alternative to traditional metal heat conductors.
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Why plastic doesn't conduct heat well
Plastic is generally not a good conductor of heat. It is often used as an insulator, trapping heat rather than allowing it to pass through. This is because plastic has very few free electrons, and its molecules are closely bound together, requiring a lot more energy for them to move and vibrate. This makes it difficult for heat, generated by molecules vibrating and colliding, to transfer thermal energy.
At a microscopic level, polymers are made from long chains of monomers, or molecular units, linked end-to-end. These chains are often tangled, making it difficult for heat carriers to move through the material. This is why plastic is used for things like coffee cup sleeves—to trap heat. However, this insulating property is not always desirable. For example, plastic casings for laptops and mobile phones can overheat because the plastic traps the heat produced by the devices.
While plastic is usually a poor conductor of heat, there are certain plastics with higher levels of thermal conductivity. For example, a team of engineers at MIT has developed a polymer that works as a heat conductor, dissipating heat rather than insulating it. This polymer is lightweight and flexible and can conduct ten times as much heat as most commercially used polymers. It is electrically insulating, so it can be used to prevent devices from short-circuiting.
Additionally, some synthetic polymers act as electrical conductors, while other plastics, like polyurethane and polystyrene, have lower levels of thermal conductivity. These two types of plastic are commonly used for everyday household items.
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Plastic prevents electrical appliances from overheating
Plastic is generally a poor conductor of heat. This is because there are very few free electrons in plastic, which means thermal conduction cannot take place. For thermal conduction to occur, molecules must vibrate and collide with each other, transferring thermal energy. However, the molecules inside plastic are very closely bound together, so they require a lot of energy to move and vibrate.
As a result of its poor heat conductivity, plastic is often used as an insulator. This means that plastic is useful for protecting electrical components and systems from overheating. For example, plastic is used as insulation on electrical wires to prevent the wires from overheating and causing electrical fires or damage to equipment. Plastic is also used as a casing for laptops and mobile phones, which can overheat due to the heat they produce.
However, it is important to note that not all plastics are poor conductors of heat. For example, a team of engineers at MIT has developed a polymer that conducts heat 10 times more efficiently than most commercially used polymers. This polymer, known as polythiophene, can conduct and remove heat much more efficiently than traditional polymers, making it useful for advanced thermal management applications such as self-cooling casings for electronics.
In addition to the use of plastic insulation, there are several other ways to prevent electrical appliances from overheating. These include avoiding overloading outlets by running too many devices or appliances, keeping outlets away from extreme temperatures, and regularly cleaning around outlets to avoid dust buildup. By following these precautions, users can help ensure the safe operation of their electrical appliances and prevent potential hazards.
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Frequently asked questions
No, plastic is not a good heat conductor. It is, in fact, a good insulator, which is why it is used in many applications to protect electrical components and systems.
Plastic is made up of polymers, which are long, repeating chains of macromolecules. These chains are often tangled, making it difficult for heat carriers to move through the material.
Common plastics like polyurethane and polystyrene are good insulators. They are used in everyday household items because of their low thermal conductivity.
Yes, a team of engineers at MIT has developed a polymer thermal conductor that works as a heat conductor. This plastic material can dissipate heat rather than insulate it.
