Thermal diffusivity and mechanical properties of polymer matrix composites

Abstract

Polypropylene–iron-silicon (FeSi) composites with spherical particles and filler content from 0 vol. % to 70 vol. % are prepared by kneading and injection molding. Modulus, crystallinity, and thermal diffusivity of samples are characterized with dynamic mechanical analyzer, differential scanning calorimeter, and laser flash method. Modulus as well as thermal diffusivity of the composites increase with filler fraction while crystallinity is not significantly affected. Measurement values of thermal diffusivity are close to the lower bound of the theoretical Hashin-Shtrikman model. A model interconnectivity shows a poor conductive network of particles. From measurement values of thermal diffusivity, the mean free path length of phonons in the amorphous and crystalline structure of the polymer and in the FeSi particles is estimated to be 0.155 nm, 0.450 nm, and 0.120 nm, respectively. Additionally, the free mean path length of the temperature conduction connected with the electrons in the FeSi particles together with the mean free path in the particle-polymer interface was estimated. The free mean path is approximately 5.5 nm and decreases to 2.5 nm with increasing filler fraction, which is a result of the increasing area of polymer-particle interfaces. A linear dependence of thermal diffusivity with the square root of the modulus independent on the measurement temperature in the range from 300 K to 415 K was found.