Light weight, highly thermally conductive composites for space radiators

Future power generation and consequent waste heat in space platforms will require innovative thermal management techniques in order to avoid overheating critical components. Potential candidates are composite materials with light weight and high thermal conductivity. Using the highest thermal conductivity fiber, i.e. vapor-grown carbon fiber, as reinforcement, we have developed polymer matrix composites useful for space radiators. These composite materials were characterized for thermal conductivity, coefficient of thermal expansion, and tensile strength and modulus. Microstructural analysis was also performed using optical and scanning electron microscopy.