Predicting the thermal conductivity of composites based on high density polyethylene-cold plasma modified graphite by application of several analytical micromechanical models

The experimental data of the thermal conductivity of high density polyethylene composites filled with as-received and modified graphite particles by ethylene plasma polymerization were compared with the theoretical values obtained after applying the following micromechanical analytical models: the series model, the Maxwell model, as well as the Nielsen and the Agari models. The experimental thermal conductivity of the composites was determined by Modulated Differential Scanning Calorimetry. The theoretical results of each model adjusted to a greater or lesser extent to the experimentally obtained data. However, the Agari’s model was the one that most closely approximates the experimental values while the series model is the one with the least precision.