Structural, Thermal, and Mechanical Characterization of a Thermally Conductive Polymer Composite for Heat Exchanger Applications.

Jamieson Brechtl,Alexis Flores-Betancourt,Orlando Rios,Michael Thompson,Ayyoub M Momen,Yuzhan Li,Kashif Nawaz,Kai Li,Logan Kearney

doi:10.3390/polym13121970

Abstract

Polymer composites are being considered for numerous thermal applications because of their inherent benefits, such as light weight, corrosion resistance, and reduced cost. In this work, the microstructural, thermal, and mechanical properties of a 3D printed polymer composite with high thermal conductivity are examined using multiple characterization techniques. Infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction reveal that the composite contains a polyphenylene sulfide matrix with graphitic fillers, which is responsible for the high thermal conductivity. Furthermore, differential scanning calorimetry determines that the glass transition and melting point of the composite are 87.6 °C and 285.6 °C, respectively. Thermogravimetric analysis reveals that the composite is thermally stable up to ~400 °C. Creep tests are performed at different isotherms to evaluate the long-term performance of the composite. The creep result indicates that the composite can maintain mechanical integrity when used below its glass transition temperature. Nanoindentation tests reveal that modulus and hardness of the composite is not significantly influenced by heating or creep conditions. These findings indicate that the composite is potentially suitable for heat exchanger applications.

Highlights

Polymer composites are versatile materials and have been used in many applications, including construction [1,2,3], oil field [4], energy [5,6], transportation [7], and automation etc. [8,9,10,11,12]
More than 80% of this energy was in the low-temperature regime, which corresponds to temperatures ranging from 25 to 150 ◦ C [15]
Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) characterization revealed the presence of graphitic fillers in a PPS-based

Summary

Introduction

Polymer composites are versatile materials and have been used in many applications, including construction [1,2,3], oil field [4], energy [5,6], transportation [7], and automation etc. [8,9,10,11,12]. With interest in cost-effective and durable energy conversion systems growing, there is an immense focus on the deployment of polymer-based solutions. Applications such as waste heat recovery, power generation, thermal desalination, and air conditioning are some obvious examples for which polymer and polymer composite materials are being considered and, in several cases, successfully deployed to provide sustainable performance. Waste heat is a form of energy that is a byproduct of almost all mechanical and thermal processes. This type of energy is produced during industrial processes. Approximately 247 PJ of energy is discharged as waste heat in exhaust gas and effluents [13]

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