Thermal easy axis and thermal diffusivity of uniaxial carbon fiber-reinforced plastic sheets were determined by an offset periodic laser heating method, and investigated relationship between the thermal easy axis and fiber orientation with different thickness of CFRP sheet specimen, experimentally. It was clarified that the orientation of the thermal easy axis spreads in the in-plane direction with the sheet thickness deceases. Then, thermal diffusivity of CFRP specimens in the out-of-plane and in-plane direction were measured by two methods: a variable-frequency method and a variable displacement method, respectively. In the results of the out-of-plane directions, thermal diffusivity almost consistent with the carbon fiber direction were obtained. In contrast, the in-plane directions of those were exhibited unexpected value. Moreover, thermal diffusivity determination by offset periodic heating method was carried out. Finally, it is found that the thermal diffusivity considering the thermal easy axis with fiber angle was different characteristics from the in-plane direction measurement. These results are to be useful for development of a novel thermal interface materials with heat transfer controllable.
