Finite Element Prediction of the Thermal Conductivity of GNP/Al Composites

A 3D multi-scale finite element model was developed to predict the effective thermal conductivity of graphene nanoplatelet (GNP)/Al composites. The factors influencing GNP/Al composites were investigated, including orientation, shape, aspect ratio, configuration and volume fraction GNPs. results show that GNPs shape has a little influence on composites, with elliptic have highest conductivity. In addition, increasing ratio GNPs, increases finally tends be stable. strongly influences layered is among five configurations. sensitive Ideally, when reaches 1.54%, as high 400 W/m K. findings this study could provide good theoretical basis for designing