Title: Measurement of thermal conductivity and thermal contact resistance in composite materials for space applications

Authors: M. Marchetti, P. Testa, F.R. Torrisi

Addresses: University 'La Sapienza', Rome, Italy. ' University 'La Sapienza', Rome, Italy. ' Selenia Spazio SPA, Rome, Italy

Abstract: An apparatus has been designed for measuring thermal conductivity and thermal resistance in vacuum as a function of the applied pressure and of the average temperature at the interface. Results are reported concerning metals such as stainless steel, aluminium and copper, and composite materials such as glass and carbon fibre-epoxy for space applications. The pressure ranged from 0 to 28 × l0⁶ Pa and the temperature from 30-90°C. As expected, thermal resistance was seen to decrease with increasing pressure. Resulting uncertainties turn out to be rather high (between 10 and 40%) but still compatible with normal design requirements

Keywords: carbon fibre reinforced plastics; CFRP; composite materials; contact resistance; glass fibre reinforced plastics; GFRP; spacecraft; thermal conductivity; composites; thermal resistance; space applications; pressure; temperature; stainless steel; aluminium; copper.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMPT.1989.036743

International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 1989 Vol.4 No.4, pp.379 - 388

Published online: 06 Nov 2010 *

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