Abstract
Carbon nanofibers(CNFs) and Carbon nanotubes(CNTs) are expected to be high-function fillers of polymer matrix composites. We have measured thermal conductivity of polypropylene(PP) matrix composites filled with vapor grown carbon fibers(VGCFs) , vaper grown carbon nanofibers(VGNFs) and amino-functionalised VGNFs(a-VGNFs). Specimens were fabricated by injection molding with changing the concentration of these fillers in the composites from 0 to 31vol.%. Thermal conductivity increased with increasing the filler concentration and the value of 3.46W/mK was obtained when VGCF concentration was 31vol.% with highly oriented along measuring direction of thermal conductivity. This value is approximately sixteen fold higher than that of the pure PP(0.21W/mK). An amino-functionalisation of fillers reduces thermal conductivity of the composites; however, tensile strength of composites increased by amino functionalisation.
