Improved thermal conductivity of carbon fiber+epoxy composite

[phoenix221]

Hi all,

Is there a way to improve the thermal conductivity of carbon fiber, multi layer composites (using epoxy)?
I've hear of some metal additives that are mixed into the epoxy but they degrade mechanical performance :-(

Any other way to go about this in a cost effective way? I'd like to get close to the thermal conductivity of metals if possible...

Thanks,
M

 

[Hansmeister]

Look into using K1100 or Mitsubishi K13D fibers. They have an axial conductivity 4 times better than copper.

 

[phoenix221]

>Look into using K1100 or Mitsubishi K13D fibers. They have
> an axial conductivity 4 times better than copper.

I've searched the web and I found out that this is a form of carbon fiber. Who offers sleeves in this material?

 

[phoenix221]

I am moving this info here for reference. Compositepro suggested this in another thread by me.

By Compositepro:
You might consider twisting the carbon fiber tows. Axial conductivity of carbon fiber is much greater than radial conuctivity. Twisting the fiber will mean that axial heat flow will cause heat to flow though the ply thickness as well. Twist also makes the fiber easier to wrap around a rod. Twisted fibers "rope-up" under tension, however.

 

[MechanicalChef]

At the extreme far end of the spectrum, you could use nanotubes.

 

[kognition]

Aren't nanotubes like $100 an ounce or some insane amount?

 

[MechanicalChef]

Yeah, slowly the price of them are coming down, but it's still not a terribly viable solution.

 

[Prabbit]

Pitch fibers have higher thermal conductivity than Pan fibers.

Higher the graphitization temperature the higher the thermal conductivity. What you give up is strength but have much higher stiffness

We had done in the pass was used P-55 fibers woven it into a 3-D shape and then perform a high temperature graphitization process. We have built actively cooled panels