THERMAL-CONDUCTIVITY OF A POLYMER COMPOSITE

A prediction equation for thermal conductivity of polymer composites reported in our previous papers has been revised in terms of two view points: (1) estimation of thermal conductivity of a composite using an idea of reduced thermal conductivity; and (2) the effect of ease in forming conductive filler chains on thermal conductivity is related to the CVF value in electric conductivity of the composite. The new equation was confirmed to be adaptable to thermal conductivities of varieties of polymer composite systems filled with spherical or irregular fillers. The equation was also considered to explain thermal conductivity of polymer composites filled with fibers. Further, it was found that thermal conductivities of fiber composites can be estimated by introducing a factor of the CVF value or aspect ratio (L/D) into the new equation. (C) 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.