Hybrid three-dimensional graphene fillers and graphite platelets to improve the thermal conductivity and wear performance of epoxy composites

Abstract

Based on our recent work on the three-dimensional graphene fillers (3DGF) reinforced epoxy (EP) composite, here commercially available graphite platelets (GP) were incorporated together with 3DGF to modify EP in order to further improve the thermal conduction and wear resistance of the EP composites. Remarkably, only 0.14 vol% 3DGF was needed to enhance the thermal conduction of EP by 170%, in contrast with the fact that 37 times content of graphite fillers were required to achieve almost the same enhancement. Moreover, in the presence of both 5.38 vol% GP and 0.14 vol% 3DGF, the thermal conductivity of EP was further enhanced by 258%. Meanwhile, the tribological test results revealed the advantage of 3DGF over GP. The ternary EP composite modified with both 0.28 vol% of 3DGF and 5.38 vol% GP had much lower specific wear rate and coefficient of friction than those binary composites with either 3DGF or GP.