Exploring the Thermophysical Properties of the Thermal Conductivity of Pigmented Polymer Matrix Composites with Barium Titanate: A Comparative Numerical and Experimental Study

Abstract

This research paper focuses on investigating the thermal conductivity behavior of polymer matrix composite materials, specifically those composed of PSU and BaTiO3, both experimentally and numerically. The thermal conductivity of composites has been studied using a variety of theoretical and semi-empirical methods. However, in cases where the filler concentration is minimal, these models provide a superior estimate. To numerically resolve the thermal heat transfer for an elementary cell, the finite element method is employed in this study. The impact of contact resistance, barium titanate percentage, and quenching temperature on the composite’s effective thermal conductivity and dynamic behavior is given consideration. The results demonstrate that the suggested numerical model is in good agreement with experimental measurements as well as Hatta–Taya and Hashin–Shtrikman’s analytical models. The results provide significant insight into the thermal conductivity behavior of composites, which can inform the development of more effective thermal management solutions for composite materials. Effective thermal management is critical for the successful application of polymer matrix composite materials in various engineering applications. Thermal conductivity is a key factor in thermal management and is influenced by factors such as the concentration of filler particles, their shape, size, and distribution, and the matrix material’s properties.