Multiphysics Modeling and Simulation of the Effective Thermal Conductivity of Polymeric Composites

The increasing interest in low- and high-conductivity materials, serving as two extremes of heat retention and heat removal in the case of aerogel and graphene/carbon nanotubes requires characterization of these emerging and interesting new materials. The base materials—aerogel and graphene or carbon nanotubes—are embedded in a matrix or binders to form a single material called a composite with its own unique intrinsic property. The unique property is an effective one, considering the individual properties of the separate materials constituting the composite. The effective properties, specifically the intrinsic effective thermal conductivity, have been investigated by many investigations in the past [1–4]. A numerical approach investigating the thermal conductivity of polymeric composite was elucidated by Eian and Deissler [5]. The numerical techniques were extended by these authors to cover process systems for absorption and distillation columns in packed bed applications [6–8]. The different forms and types of composite materials, such as long-fiber-reinforced, short-fiber-reinforced, laminates, and particulates, are used in applications in the aerospace, automobile, electronic, and other industries. The applications of composite material also cover a broad and extensive range noted by [9]. These include but are not limited to flying vehicles and all it associated parts, construction panels, jet stators, aircraft nose and cones, main helicopter rotors, racks and shields, etc.