Thermal conductivity of rubber composites incorporating inorganic and carbon-based filler systems: A research progress review

Rubber materials are widely used in many fields owing to their excellent elasticity and electrical insulation. However, their low thermal conductivity tends to cause heat accumulation during service, leading to aging, performance degradation, and even safety failures. Filling with inorganic and carbon-based fillers has become the dominant approach to improving the thermal conductivity of rubber composites. Through rational selection of filler types, optimized modification processes, and structural regulation of composite systems, the thermal transport efficiency can be significantly enhanced while maintaining the mechanical properties of the rubber matrix. This paper systematically reviews the current applications of various inorganic and carbon-based fillers in rubber composites, focuses on analyzing how the thermal properties of different inorganic fillers affect thermal conductivity, discusses the challenges in current research, and prospects future development trends, so as to provide a reference for the research and development of high-performance thermally conductive rubber composites.