Abstract: Carbon fiber (CF) reinforced linear low-density polyethylene (PE-LLD) composites were prepared via hot-molding. The effects of content, dispersion method, and surface treatment of CF on thermal conductivity of PE-LLD/CF composites were investigated. The thermal conductivity of PE-LLD increased when filled with coupling agent treated carbon fiber. Thermal conductivity of the sample made by ultrasonic dispersion method was higher than those made by mill- or melt-mixing. Thermal conductivity of PE-LLD/CF increased with increasing CF content, without reduction in the mechanical properties. When the content of carbon fiber was 10 mass% and using ultrasonic dispersion, the thermal conductivity of PE-LLD/CF reached 1.4 W/(m·K), six times that of neat PE-LLD.

Key words: linear low-density polyethylene, carbon fiber, thermal conductivity, composite, ultrasonic dispersion