Dependence of the Transverse Thermal Conductivity of Unidirectional Composites on Fiber Shape

The model for the traverse thermal conductivity of unidirectional composite materials published by Springer and Tsai, which yields good results when compared to experimental results, is generalized to include fibers having elliptical cross sections. It is shown that the thermal conductivity of the unidirectional composite normal to the filaments depends strongly on fiber shape.