Thermal Study of Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites Using Multiscale Modeling

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Composite Materials
• Thermal Engineering

Background:

• Carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites have poor through-thickness thermal conductivity due to the low thermal conductivity of the polymer matrix.
• Understanding and improving thermal properties of CFRPs are vital for applications such as hydrogen storage tanks to enhance efficiency and minimize energy loss.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the thermal behavior and predict the thermal conductivity of plain-woven CFRP composites.
• To analyze the influence of various parameters on the thermal properties of CFRPs using multi-scale modeling.

Main Methods:

• Numerical simulation was employed to predict the thermal conductivity of CFRP composites at micro-, meso-, and macro-scales.
• Multi-scale modeling approach was utilized for a parametric study to assess the impact of different variables.
• Predicted thermal conductivity values were compared with experimental findings and analytical models.

Main Results:

• The study successfully predicted the thermal conductivity of CFRP composites, showing good agreement with experimental and analytical results.
• Fiber volume fraction and temperature were identified as the most significant factors influencing the thermal conductivity.
• Interphase fiber/matrix thickness also showed a considerable impact, while matrix porosity had a lesser effect within the studied range (5-15%).

Conclusions:

• Multi-scale modeling provides an effective approach for understanding the thermal properties of CFRP composites.
• Optimizing fiber volume fraction and considering operating temperature are key for managing thermal conductivity in CFRP applications.
• The findings are crucial for designing advanced composite materials with tailored thermal performance, particularly for energy storage systems.