Methods for enhancing the thermal properties of epoxy matrix composites using 3D network structures

A series of expanded graphite (EG), hybrid fillers, and foam materials (FM) filled with epoxy resin (EP) composites were designed and fabricated to improve the thermal conductivity of neat EP composites. The effects of the particle size and volume fraction, modification of the EG, the ratio of EG (100):EG(300), the acidification of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and the construction of 3D network structure of FM on the thermal conductivity, thermal stability and mechanical properties (tensile strength and compressive) of the composites were investigated experimentally. The thermal conductivity of the composite, which is filled with 0.2-mu m copper foam, is up to 9.91 W/(mK) and almost 82 times compared to the pure EP composites.