Thermal contact resistance of epoxy composites incorporated with nano-copper particles and the multi-walled carbon nanotubes

To enhance heat transfer performance of epoxy resin as a thermal interface material (TIM), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and nano-copper particles are incorporated into an epoxy resin to form hybrid composites. The total thermal contact resistance (TCR) between the heated and cooled surfaces as well as its components such as the bulk resistance (R-BLT) of the TIM, and the boundary resistance (R-B) between the TIM and the joint surfaces above and below the TIM of the composites are measured. The influence of the compound in different proportions of MWCNTs and nano-copper particles on R-BLT and R-B is discussed in detail. The results indicate that the total TCR is related not only to the thermal conductivity of the TIM, but also to the other factors such as the property of the filler, the microstructural characterization, and the surface morphology of the TIM. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.