Modeling Of Frp Composites For The Prediction Of Effective Thermal Conductivity

Abstract

Present work focuses on prediction of Effective Thermal Conductivities of Unidirectional Fiber Reinforced Composites using Finite Element Method. The Representative Volume Element (RVE) of Elliptical Fiber Mechanical Model is integrated with the Finite Element Software ANSYS 12.0 to estimate the Effective Thermal Conductivities of the composite by taking the Thermal Conductivities of individual components (Fiber, Matrix) of the Composite to investigate the effect of Fiber type and Fiber arrangement on Effective Thermal Conductivities in Transverse (K2) and Through Thickness (K3) directions. Thermal Conductivities of Fiber Reinforced Composites are predicted using Finite Element Method applied to Representative Volume Element in the form of Elliptical models with and without debond at Fiber-Matrix interfaces are discussed. The results have shown that the Effective Thermal Conductivities of Composites can be improved with Voids in a Matrix and random arrangement of Fibers in a Matrix.