Thermal conductivity and diffusivity of carbon‐reinforced polyetherketoneketone composites

Abstract

Heat transfer properties play an important role in processing of polyetherketoneketone (PEKK)/carbon fiber (CF) composites. Accordingly, thermal conductivity and diffusivity of PEKK, PEKK/glassy carbon (GC), and PEKK/CF composites have been studied. Observed increase in conductivity and diffusivity with carbon filler addition was analyzed using the Maxwell–Eucken model. PEKK/GC composites with low carbon fraction indicated good fitting experimental points of the model, indicating good dispersion of particles. For PEKK/CF composites, the thermal conductivity and diffusivity increase is a reflection of a decrease in porosity. Results as observed from the model points to a homogenous dispersion within the PEKK/CF composites as well.