Date of Award:
5-2016
Document Type:
Thesis
Degree Name:
Master of Science (MS)
Department:
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Committee Chair(s)
Nick Roberts
Committee
Nick Roberts
Committee
Aaron Katz
Committee
Ling Liu
Abstract
Thermal interface materials (TIMs) are used in transporting heat away from a circuit or electronic module. Composite materials are a popular research area for TIMs because they allow the desired properties to be joined in a composite to take advantage of the best properties from all the constituents involved. The composite selected for this study uses carbon nanotubes (CNT) as the filler and an elastomeric polymer for the matrix, specifically a multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) / polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite. This study looks at chemical modification (functionalization) of the CNTin an effort to produce a better bond between the CNT and the PDMS. A better bond should theoretically increase the thermal properties of the composite. This study uses a database compiled from literature to promote data driven research in the area of carbon-polymer composites. An uncertainty analysis is also included of the stepped bar apparatus used in this study for thermal resistance measurements.
Results showed that the CNT increased the strength of the composite but the increase in strength is actually not advantageous when looking at applications for a TIM. This is because a stronger material will not compress as much under a similar load as a weaker material, which would result in a thicker TIM and more thermal resistance. Thermal properties were also increased, but not enough to offset the disadvantage of the increased strength. One of the chemical modifications showed more benefit over the other, but neither showed better results than the polymer by itself.
Checksum
55666fe2b288dbb93064a9bbb2da9041
Recommended Citation
Ralphs, Matthew I., "Investigating the Effect of Carbon Nanotube Functionalization in a Polydimethylsiloxane Composite through Use of a Stepped Bar Apparatus" (2016). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023. 4698.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/4698
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