Effect of Heat Treatment and Pigment Fraction on the Thermal Conductivity and Dynamic Behavior of Poly (Methyl Methacrylate) Pigmented with Titanium Dioxide

Abstract

The thermal behavior of a poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) pigmented with titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is studied in both Steady state and transient regimes in the present work. The numerical results of thermal conductivity, based on the finite element method, are compared to theoretical models and experimental measurements, which varies depending on the quenching temperature and pigment content. Time evolution of temperatures during the quenching of the composite is taken into account for different quenching temperatures and different pigment contents. It is noted that the heat exchange becomes slower for a pigment fraction of 0.5%, and the steady state is reached more rapidly for higher pigment content. The AFM image of the PMMA/TiO₂ composite with content equal to 3% of titanium dioxide. This demonstrates a good distribution of the particles throughout the matrix, with the individual particles being uniformly dispersed and securely embedded in the polymer matrix, thereby avoiding any clustering. An improvement in heat exchange is observed in the composite with a high content of titanium dioxide. This improvement is attributed to the increase in the thermal conductivity of the PMMA/TiO₂ composite.