Fig. 1 Simplifying the model by combining the interface with GNPs

Fig. 2 A three-dimensional randomly distributed GNP/Al composites model, a the geometrical model of RVE and b the nodes on the GNPs embedded in matrix

Fig. 3 Variation of average heat flux and computation time with element size

Fig. 4 Simplified diagrams of GNP/Al composites: a temperature gradient of RVE along x direction and b local coordinates based on GNP

Fig. 5 Schematics of RVE with different shapes of GNPs: a ellipse, b rectangle, c circle, d polygon, e square

Fig. 6 Heat flux of GNPs: a ellipse, b rectangle, c circle, d polygon, e square

Fig. 7 Heat flux of matrix with GNP shapes of a ellipse, b rectangle, c circle, d polygon, e square

Fig. 8 Thermal conductivity of GNPs/Al composites with different shapes of GNPs

Fig. 9 RVE with aspect ratios of a 20, b 26, c 40, d 80, e 160

Fig. 10 Heat flux distributions of GNP/Al composites with GNP aspect ratios of a 20, b 26, c 40, d 80, e 160

Fig. 11 Thermal conductivity of GNP/Al composites with different aspect ratios of GNPs

Fig. 12 Schematics of RVE with GNPs configurations of a layered, b evenly oriented, c agglomerated, d networked, e randomly arranged

Fig. 13 Heat flux of GNPs with different configurations: a layered, b evenly oriented, c agglomerated, d networked, e randomly arranged

Fig. 14 Heat flux of matrix with different configurations of GNPs: a layered, b evenly oriented, c agglomerated, d networked, e randomly arranged

Fig. 15 Paths with different alignment angles of GNPs: a 0\(^\circ\), b 24\(^\circ\), c 43\(^\circ\), d 60\(^\circ\), e 89\(^\circ\)

Fig. 16 Variation of heat flut along the path at different alignment angles of GNP

Fig. 17 Heat flux of GNP at different alignment angles

Fig. 18 Thermal conductivity of GNP/Al composites with five GNPs configurations

Fig. 19 Thermal conductivity of GNP/Al composites for different GNPs volume fractions