Thermal Conductivity of Polymer Matrix Carbon Nanofiber Compsites

Abstract

Carbon nanofibers (CNFs) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are expected to be high-function fillers of polymer matrix composites. The thermal conductivity of thermoplastic resin matrix CNF composites which was fabricated by injection molding was evaluated, with particular focus on the effects of CNF content, shape of CNF, matrix resin and filler orientation. The thermal conductivity of composites increased with increasing CNF content, and was obtained as 3.4 W/mK when CNF concentration was 31 vol.% with highly oriented along measuring direction of thermal conductivity. This value is approximately sixteen fold higher than that of the neat polypropylene. The thermal conductivity change due to volume fraction of CNF was discussed using effective medium approximation method.