Electrical and Thermal Conductivity of Epoxy-Carbon Filler Composites Processed by Calendaring

Electrical and thermal conductivity of composites which contain carbon-based fillers in an epoxy matrix were investigated. The fillers were dispersed in the liquid matrix by using three roll mill equipment. The filler/matrix mixture was cast in a mold and then cured, thus obtaining composite specimens. Multiwall carbon nanotubes, graphene-like nanoplatelets, and graphite were used as fillers and their effect on conductivity was investigated. Electrical and thermal conductivity were measured at different filler loads. It was found that the formation of percolation paths greatly enhanced electrical conductivity, although they were not so effective in improving thermal conductivity. The behavior of composites containing each single filler was compared with that of hybrid composites containing combinations of two different fillers. Results show that fillers with different aspect ratios displayed a synergetic effect resulting in a noticeable improvement of electrical conductivity. However, only a small effect on thermal conductivity was observed.