Abstract
Keywords
1. Introduction
2. Filler materials
3. Thermal properties of polymer composites
4. Summary
CRediT authorship contribution statement
Declaration of Competing Interest
References
Abstract
Polymer composites are commonly used in industry and are used in various fields such as the aircraft industry, automobile industry, electronic industry and packaging industry, etc. due to their diverse versatility, low cost, light weight, and outstanding chemical consistency. For new technologies, especially in aerospace and aeronautics, thermal properties have become a significant parameter. A reference to a number of research studies is made in this paper and the role of fillers in polymers is studied. The main purpose of this analysis is to identify any possible patterns that control and dictate the thermal properties in polymeric composites.
1. Introduction
There is an increasing demand and development in the field of material science since the last two decades and to fit the requirements of the out-dated products available in the market, material scientists have evolved the polymer composites to outperform their original functions that is being rigid and not buckling. Polymer composite has a large variety of industrial applications due to its many desirable properties ranging from high thermal conductivity to excellent chemical resistance. Polymer composites are mostly anisotropic in nature, these results in them having good mechanical, electrical and thermal properties. Compared to isotropic materials composite materials are much more effective and efficient.
There are many conventional filler materials that are using as a filler material in polymer composites for different applications [1–5]. The ever-alarming concern about the environment can also be put to rest by using the construction, industrial and animal waste as filler which is reinforced with the polymer matrix and enhances the mechanical, physical and thermal properties. However, epoxy polymeric composite despite having so many industrial applications, possess poor mechanical properties. Silica is one of the most ideal inorganic compounds that can be used as reinforcement material along with other inorganic materials. Research also indicates that plant fibres are often used as fillers because of their renewability and high availability. The main sources of natural fibres are both inexhaustible and nonsustainable for example sisal, palm oil and flax. These are then used to make composite material.
Presently the composites that are used in thermal fillers do not provide any electrical properties. Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) and Graphene Nanotubes (GNTs) have excellent mechanical, thermal and electrical properties. CNTs and GNTs have a strong lattice which gives them good physical and thermal properties [6–8].
With these polymer composite materials integrating into the electronics industry, the developments in thermal properties, especially thermal dissipation heavily influences the performance, reliability and lifetime of these devices. Hence thermal conductivity of these polymer composite materials plays a huge role in a lot of industries. Exhaust heat affects the functioning and the properties of the equipment. A good thermal management system is necessary to protect the equipment from any heat related damages