Author

Abstract

The aim of this research is to study the property of thermal conductivity for epoxy and some of its composites at room temperature, and various temperatures for various period of immersion using water bath technique. Three samples are prepared by hand lay-up method. The first sample is epoxy resin, the second sample is epoxy resin reinforced with Aluminum powder, and the third sample is epoxy resin reinforced with Al fibers. The volume fraction is 15%. Thermal conductivity is measured for three samples at room temperature (30 ºC) using Lee’s disc device. Thermal conductivity is measured for samples after immersion in water bath for (30, 60) minutes at (40, 50) ºC. Activation energy is measured for samples. Results show generally that reinforcing with Al powder and fibers increases thermal conductivity.
Also thermal conductivity increase for samples at 50 ºC after immersion in water bath at this temperature as compared with other temperatures. It is found that thermal conductivity, generally, decreases by increasing the period of immersion in water bath whereas thermal conductivity recorded lower values after immersion for 60
minutes. Results shows that sample of epoxy reinforced with Al powder have the highest value of activation energy as compared with other samples.