A Finite Element Analysis of the Effects of Graphene and Carbon Nanotubes on Thermal Conductivity of Co Phase in WC–Co Carbide

In engineering practice, the service life of cemented carbide shield tunneling machines in uneven soft and hard strata will be seriously reduced due to thermal stress. When carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene nano-platelets (GNPs) are added to WC–Co carbide as enhanced phases, the thermal conductivity of carbide is significantly improved. Research should be performed to further understand the mechanism of enhancement in composites and to find ways to assist the design and optimization of the structure. In this paper, a series of finite element models were established using scripts to find the factors that affect the thermal conduction, including positions, orientations, interface thermal conductivity, shapes, sizes, and so on. WC–Co carbide with CNTs (0.06%, 0.12%, and 0.18% vol.), GNPs (0.06%, 0.12%, and 0.18% vol.) and hybrid CNTs–GNPs (1:1) were prepared to verify the reliability of finite element simulation results. The results show that the larger the interface thermal conductivity, the higher the composite phase thermal conductivity. Each 1%vol of CNTs increased the thermal conductivity of the composite phase by 7.2%, and each 1% vol. of GNPs increased the thermal conductivity of the composite phase by 5.2%. The proper curvature (around 140°) of CNTs and GNPs with a proper diameter to thickness ratio is suggested to lead to better thermal conductivity.