Effective heat conductivity of Honeycomb (porous) composite panel

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to validate an assumption of what to use as an effective (steady state) heat transfer coefficient of thermal conductivity for the honeycomb core sandwiched by Fiberglass face sheets composite. A one-dimensional model based on Fourier law is developed. The results are validated experimentally. Design/methodology/approach The results were obtained from the one-dimensional mathematical model of an overall or effective heat conductivity of the Honeycomb composite panel. These results were validated experimentally by applying heat flux on the specimen under controlled environment. The surface temperatures at different voltages were recorded and analysed. The skin of the sandwich composite material used in the investigation was Fiberglass sheet with a thickness of 0.5 mm at the bottom and 1.0 mm at the top surface. Both skins have a stacking sequence of zero degrees. Due to the presence of air cells in the core (Honeycomb), the model considers the conduction, convection and radiation heat transfer, across the thickness of the panel, combined as an effective conduction mode, whose value may be predicted by using the coefficient of thermal conductivity of the air based on the average temperature difference between the two skins. The experimental results for the heat transfer through the thickness of the panel provide validation of this assumption/prediction. Both infrared thermography and conventional temperature measurement techniques (thermocouples) were used to collect the data. Findings The heat transfer experiment and mathematical modeling were conducted. The data obtained were analyzed, and it was found that the effective thermal conductivity was temperature-dependent as expected. The effective thermal conductivity of the honeycomb panel was close to that of air, and its value could be predicted if the panel surface temperatures were known. It was also found that as temperature raised the variation between experimental and predicted effective air conduction raised up. This is because there was an increase in molecular diffusion and vibration. Therefore, the convection heat transfer increased at high temperatures and the air became an insulator. Originality/value Honeycomb composite panels have excellent physical and thermal properties that influence their performance. This study provides an appropriate method in determining thermal conductivity, which is one of the critical thermal properties of porous composite material. This paper also gives useful and practical data to industries that use or manufacture honeycomb composite panels.