Molecular simulation study on the influence mechanism of thermal and mechanical properties of boron nitride filled epoxy resin

Abstract

Epoxy resin (EP) is used in electric power equipment due to its superior mechanical and insulating qualities. However, as power equipment advances towards high voltage and high frequency, the drawbacks of epoxy resin’s poor thermal conductivity become more apparent. This study studied the thermal and mechanical properties of an EP composite when the concentration of hydroxylated boron nitride (BN) was increased. The findings demonstrate that as BN content is increased, epoxy resin’s thermal conductivity also increases. When BN concentration reaches 40%, the heat conduction network is constructed. The mechanical characteristics of epoxy resin rapidly deteriorate and BN agglomeration occurs when the concentration exceeds this threshold. Better dispersion of the hydroxylated BN is made possible by the hydrogen bond formed between BN and epoxy resin, which regulates the mechanical properties of the EP.