This research work is devoted to the study of the thermal transport properties of nanocomposites based on PP/EPDM/Clay (Polypropylene/Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer/Clay). Six different formulations were designed and the corresponding nanocomposites (with 0, 2, 4 and 6% of clay) were prepared via melt mixing. To achieve the goals, densities, specific heat capacities and thermal conductivities were measured as function of temperature and nanocomposites compositions. A new and novel methodology was developed to determine the thermal conductivity which was based on an inverse heat transfer problem. First, assuming a linear relationship for thermal conductivity, the transient heat transfer equation in a solid specimen was numerically solved. The obtained temperature profile was used as the input to an optimisation technique based on genetic algorithm and the parameters of the thermal conductivity relationship were found. The results showed that the specific heat increases both with increasing of temperature and clay contents. It is also increased with the addition of the rubber to the blend. In all samples, the thermal conductivity decreases with increasing of temperature with a linear relationship. In addition, at relatively constant ratios of PP/EPDM, thermal conductivity of nanocomposite and its sensitivity increase with temperature rise. Moreover, at constant value of clay content, the thermal conductivity is decreased with increase of rubber content. The explanations to above findings were also presented and discussed.
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