Effects of flake graphite on property optimisation in thermal conductive composites based on polyamide 66

In this study, in order to improve the thermal conductivity of polyamide 66(PA66), PA66 composites filled with flake graphite (FG) were prepared by twin-screw extruder. Effects of filler content, particle size and particle size mixing on thermal conductivity, mechanical and rheological properties of the composites were investigated. The results showed that as FG content increased from 0 to 50 wt-%, thermal conductivity of the composites filled with 100 m FG gradually increased, whereas mechanical properties and rheological properties decreased. At 50 wt-% loading, thermal conductivity reached 3.07 W/(m K). With the increase of particle size, thermal conductivity and rheological properties of the composites improved, but mechanical properties increased first and then decreased. The composite filled with 100 m FG had relatively optimal mechanical properties. Particle size mixing can improve thermal conductivity and the maximum value was achieved in the 1:2 mass ratio of 20 and 100 m particles.