| While the polymer matrix composite materials are widely used for their excellent structural and insulating properties, there is a growing need for thermally conductive polymer based composite materials. In this work, enhancement of thermal conductivity of polymer matrix composite materials, containing metal coated fibers and metal coated microspheres, was experimentally investigated. The flash pulse thermal conductivity method was employed to determine the thermal conductivity of specimens. The experimental setup which was designed, partially manufactured and fully assembled in the Mechanical Engineering Department, is capable of measuring the thermal conductivities of solids to within 5% accuracy in the 0.2 to 100 W/mK range at room temperature. It is found that the volume fraction of microspheres and metal coating, and thermal conductivity of the coating material have significant effect on in plane thermal conductivity of the fibrous composite materials. |
