Estimation of Thermal Properties in Epoxy Matrix/Carbon Fiber Composite Materials

Abstract

Accurate knowledge of the thermal characteristics of composites is impor tant in any nonisothermal environment, and these characteristics are related to the thermal properties of the material. The focus of this study is on the estimation of the thermal prop erties, namely thermal conductivity and volumetric heat capacity, of AS4 surface treated carbon fiber (Hercules, Inc.)/BADGE-mPDA composites. The thermal properties perpen dicular to the fiber axis were estimated using the Gauss minimization method at different temperatures for two different stacking orientations. The magnitude of the thermal proper ties increased with temperature over the temperature range studied, and a significant dif ference was found between the estimated thermal conductivities of samples with different stacking orientations.