On a finite element approach to predict the thermal conductivity of carbon fiber reinforced composite materials

Abstract

New applications for carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are emerging every day. CNTs are mostly used as the reinforcing phase in polymer composites. Recently, their application in improving the conductivity of these composites has attracted a lot of researchers. Considering helping to have a more realistic view of their reinforcing ability, this paper investigates the effect of nanotubes arbitrary orientations on the reinforced composite thermal conductivity. Two cases, i.e. the case when all the fibers are aligned and the case when the fibers are distributed with arbitrary orientations have been studied. Also, the effect of volume fraction value on the reinforcing capability of the inclusions is investigated. It is shown that the fibers orientation has an unfavorable effect on the composites conductivity and decreases it in comparison with the case when all the fibers are aligned and parallel to the heat flux. Furthermore, increasing the volume fraction also increases the thermal conductivity.