Tailoring Thermal Conductivity for 3-D Polymer Composites

该项目的研究目标是表征和研究定制三维织物作为复合材料结构的一部分的使用，以改善其贯穿厚度的热性能。初步预测表明，高z-纤维含量可以提高复合材料的通厚导热系数两到三个数量级。这相当于金属基准材料的热性能。这些初步结果激发了本研究的动力，该研究将调查和表征(i)高导电性z纤维集成在3-D复合材料中时的热传输机制，（ii）其最佳性能的排列，以及（iii）与此类复合材料相关的制造问题。还计划使用精心设计的模型实验验证已开发的基本理解。该研究需要纺织品和复合材料建模，复合材料设计，制造和测试的知识。美国合作项目负责人将与德国亚琛大学纺织技术研究所（ITA）合作。ITA是一家国际知名的中心，拥有制造三维织物结构所需的免费设备和专业知识。美国学生将有机会在ITA进行部分研究，获得纺织技术方面的宝贵专业知识。该活动将发展总体框架，以解决包含高导电相的多相非均质多孔介质中的热传输机制。一旦理解了这一点，人们就可以制造出具有定制导热性的复合材料，以实现其在从房屋到需要导电和导热的大型结构等一系列应用中的潜力。

The research objective of this project is to characterize and investigate the use of tailored three dimensional fabrics as part of a composite structure to improve the through-thickness thermal properties. Initial predictions suggest that one can improve through-thickness thermal conductivity of composites by two to three orders of magnitude with high z-fiber content. This would be equivalent to thermal properties of metallic baseline materials. These preliminary results have motivated this research which will investigate and characterize (i) the thermal transport mechanisms when highly conductive z-fibers are integrated in 3-D composites, (ii) their arrangement for optimal performance and (iii) manufacturing issues associated with this class of composites. Validation of the developed fundamental understanding using well-designed model experiments is also planned.The research requires knowledge of textile and composites modeling, composite design, manufacturing and testing. The US Co-PIs will work together with the Institute for Textile Technology at the University of Aachen/Germany (ITA). ITA is an internationally renowned center with complimentary equipment and expertise necessary to fabricate the three dimensional fabric structures. US students will have the opportunity to conduct part of their research at ITA gaining valuable expertise in textile technology. The activity will develop the general framework to address heat transport mechanisms in multi phase heterogeneous porous media containing a highly conductive phase. Once this is well understood one can fabricate composites with tailored thermal conductivities fulfilling their potential in a range of applications from housing to large-scale structures that need to be electrically and thermally conductive.