Impact of Graphite on Thermomechanical, Mechanical, Thermal, Electrical Properties, and Thermal Conductivity of HDPE/Copper Composites
Soma Banerjee, S. Pattnayek, Ravindra Kumar, Kamal K. Kar
Abstract
Abstract Impact of graphite on the physicochemical properties of high density polyethylene (HDPE)/copper composites has been investigated at various volume percentages of copper. The two sets of composites are prepared by simple melt blending and injection molding approach. Thermal conductivity increases from 0.5 W m −1 K −1 for pure HDPE to 6.5 and 8 Wm −1 K −1 for 30 and 40 vol.% of copper loading with and without graphite, respectively. A huge increment in synergistic efficiency has been evidenced for the mixed filled polymer composites. Incorporation of graphite has also improved the percolation threshold from 19 to 13 vol.% of copper loading to the HDPE matrix, which indicates the synergistic effect of mixed filler system. Development of leafy morphology of copper promotes large number of inter‐particle contacts and hence improves the percolation threshold of the composites. The corrosion resistive, mechanically robust, electrically and thermally conductive composites with good flexural properties and light in weight than conventional metallic bipolar plates suggest it a material of choice for fuel cell devices.