Thermal and Electrical Conductivities of Carbon Fibers and Carbon Nanotubes Incorporated Polyurethanes Composites

Single filler polyurethane composites with carbon fibers (CFs) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were prepared by melt mixing methods and its thermal as well as electrical resistivity characteristics were investigated. The influences of fillers and mixing methods on thermal and electrical conductivity of CF/- and MWNT/polyurethane composites were investigated and the result shows that the addition of carbon fillers improved the thermal conductivity of the polyurethane composites. Higher filler concentration results in better thermal conductivity because better formation of thermally conductive networks along polymer matrix to ensure the thermal was conducted through the matrix and the network along the polymer composites. The presence of carbon additives improves the electrical resistivity of the materials as well. The present study revealed the potential of carbon as agent for better thermal and electrical conductivities and their properties depend strongly on the dispersion and distribution of the fillers in the polymer matrix.