Numerical Simulation and Analysis of Thermal Conductivity and Influencing Factors of Braided Carbon Fiber Reinforced Natural Rubber Composites

Rubber is widely applied in the field of electrical engineering due to its high elasticity. However, its poor thermal conductivity can cause localized overheating and eventual failure. This issue can be addressed through adding fillers with high thermal conductivity. In this study, natural rubber is selected as the matrix, while braided carbon fiber (B-CF), known for its excellent thermal conductivity, serves as the reinforcing phase. This research defines cubic Bessel curves, establishes a curvilinear coordinate system, and examines the orthogonal anisotropic thermal conductivity of B-CF bundles. It has been verified that eight cycles of fiber accurately represent the finite element simulation model. Based on this, the impact of the cross-sectional shape and area of the fiber bundle on heat dissipation was studied. The results show that the cross-sectional shape has minimal impact on heat dissipation, with temperature differences between the heat source center and the end of the cross-section line remaining within 1 °C. In contrast, the cross-sectional area significantly affects the reduction of the temperature, achieving reductions of up to 32.6% at the heat source center and 40.4% at the opposite side, respectively. This study provides valuable guidance for improving the thermal performance of braided fiber-reinforced rubber products.