| Abstract Scope |
The application of carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced epoxy matrix composites (CRECs) in various industrial fields continues to grow due to the improved material properties of nanofillers. In this study, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were employed to investigate the thermal properties of CRECs with various CNT loadings, orientations, and geometrical parameters. The thermal properties of their individual constituents (CNTs and epoxy) were firstly examined individually. This involves a detailed investigation of each component by MD simulations based on its different geometrical, physical, and chemical characteristics. Then, the effective thermal properties of the CREcs were analytically calculated and simulated. The results were validated against effective medium theory predictions, reveal that, in the examined configurations, the effective thermal properties of the CRECs increase with the CNT length and volume fraction. Additionally, it is affected by the degree of cure of the epoxy resin and the temperature of the system. |