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Prediction of thermal conductivity of air voided-fiber-reinforced composite laminates part II: 3D simulation

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Abstract

Applying the fundamental definition of thermal conductivity to a unit cell of unidirectional fiber reinforced composite with air voids, one can deduce simple empirical formula to predict the thermal conductivity of the composite material with estimated air void volume percent. The inherent 3-D problem is modeled using finite element analysis. The model is tested at different fiber to resin volume ratios and various fibers to resin thermal conductivity ratios for three different air void volume percent. The air voids are modeled as cylindrical shapes with different lengths aligned with fiber direction. Two prediction schemes have been developed through the present work. One is to predict the longitudinal thermal conductivity and the other is to predict the transverse thermal conductivity of the fibers. Also, the model can be used to estimate the voids volume percent if the fiber thermal conductivity has been provided. Such expression can, also, serve as useful guides for quality and perfect bonding for material development.

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Abbreviations

a i :

constants, i=1,2,3,..

A :

wall area (m2)

b i :

constants, i=1,2,3,..

f i :

constants, i=1,2,3,..

h i :

constants, i=1,2,3,..

\( \widehat{h} \) :

heat transfer coefficient (J/(sec m2 C°))

K c :

equivalent thermal conductivity of the composite (J/m s K°)

K r :

thermal conductivity of the resin (J/m s K°)

K f :

hermal conductivity of the fiber (J/m s K°)

K cr :

composite to resin thermal conductivity ratio

K fr :

fiber to resin thermal conductivity ratio

L :

distance between two opposite walls (m)

q :

heat flux (J)

T conv :

convective wall temperature (K°)

T w :

wall temperature (K°)

T ∞ :

bulk temperature of the fluid at convective side (K°)

vair:

void volume percent in the composite

V r :

resin volume percent

V f :

fiber volume percent

V fr :

fiber to resin volume ratio

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mechanical Engineering Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, 31261, Dhahran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

    Yagoub N. Al-Nassar

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  1. Yagoub N. Al-Nassar
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Correspondence to Yagoub N. Al-Nassar.

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Al-Nassar, Y.N. Prediction of thermal conductivity of air voided-fiber-reinforced composite laminates part II: 3D simulation. Heat Mass Transfer 43, 117–122 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00231-006-0099-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00231-006-0099-5

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