TITLE:
Thermal Diffusivity and Thermal Conductivity of Epoxy-Based Nanocomposites by the Laser Flash and Differential Scanning Calorimetry Techniques
AUTHORS:
Jasper Chiguma, Edwin Johnson, Preyah Shah, Natalya Gornopolskaya, Wayne E. Jones Jr.
KEYWORDS:
Nanocomposites; Thermal Diffusivity; Thermal Conductivity; Heat Capacity; Laser Flash; Differential Scanning Calorimetry
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Composite Materials,
Vol.3 No.3,
July
12,
2013
ABSTRACT: Nanocomposites
were fabricated by using a commercial two part epoxy as a matrix and
multiwalled carbon nanotubes, graphite fibers and boron nitride platelets as
filler materials. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) that were produced by
chemical vapor deposition were found to produce nanocomposites with better
thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity than the MWCNTs that were produced
by the combustion method. Compared to the MWCNTs produced by both methods and
graphite fibers, boron nitride produced nanocomposites with the highest thermal
conductivity. Specific heat capacity was measured by using differential
scanning calorimetry and thermal diffusivity was measured by using the laser
flash.