Tailoring anisotropic thermal conductivity by varying filler particle organization in nickel-polydimethylsiloxane composites

Abstract

Anisotropic properties can be imparted to composite materials by arranging filler particles along specific directions inside the polymer matrix. These anisotropic patterns can be produced through dynamic field-assisted assembly of the filler particles during additive manufacturing. Using finite element analysis, we explore how chainlike arrangements of nickel particles embedded in a polydimethylsiloxane matrix modify bulk thermal conductivities …