Thermally conductive polymer composites

Thermally conductive polymer composites can be divided into thermally conductive and electrically conductive, and thermally conductive and electrically insulating polymer composites according to whether they are electrically conductive or not. The main factors affecting their thermal conductivities are polymer matrix, fillers as well as interfaces between fillers and polymer matrix. Thermal conductivities of thermally conductive polymer composites can be improved to a large extent by using suitable processing methods to improve the formation of thermally conductive fillers into thermal conduction pathways and networks. This chapter introduces the classification and preparation methods of thermally conductive polymer composites, analyzes the factors affecting their thermal conductivities, describes the suitable methods and research progress to improve their thermal conductivities, and finally outlooks their development trends.