The heat transfer through polyaniline (PANI) mixed with metals (manganese and iron) is studied by measuring its effective thermal conductivity (lambda(e)) and effective thermal diffusivity (chi(e)) from room temperature to 170degreesC at normal pressure. Simultaneous measurements of the lambda(e) and chi(e) values of samples A (100% Fe), B (50% Fe and 50% Mn), and C (100% Mn) of the PANI mixtures with different percentages of Fe and Mn are carried out using the transient plane source technique. It is observed that the lambda(e) and chi(e) of the above samples are almost independent of the temperature in a range of temperatures. However, maximum values for the lambda(e) and chi(e) are found for sample A at similar to140degreesC, sample B at similar to130degreesC, and sample C at similar to120degreesC. An empirical relationship deduced from a polynomial fit of the experimental data is established for the temperature dependence of the lambda(e) and chi(e) values of these samples. Reasonably good agreement is obtained between the theoretically predicted results and the experimental data. This behavior is explained on the basis of bond formation between the metals (Fe and Mn) and nitrogen of the PANI matrix. (C) 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.