In-Plane Thermal Conductivities of CFRP Composites Interleaved With Dissimilar Conductive Media

Abstract

Four types of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) specimens were prepared with prepregs. Three of the four composite specimens have embedded dissimilar material sheets intended to improve in-plane thermal conductivities. The co-cured subsurface enhancements are non-woven carbon nanotube (CNT) sheets, metallic wire mesh, and metallic surface cladding. One dimensional, steady-state, thermal conduction experiments were carried out using a thermocouple array in a well-insulated space between a heat source and a heat sink. Accounting for heat losses and thermal contact resistances, a best-fit curve from an experimental temperature distribution profile is used to calculate thermal conductivities for all composite specimens. Mechanical property degradations due to the added thermal enhancements were measured using in-plane stiffness, flexural strength, and interlaminar shear strength as benchmarks. The thermal conductivity of the CNT sheet enhanced composite improved by 18% with an insignificant decrease in mechanical properties.