Thermal Characterization of Carbon-Carbon Composites

Author(s):  
Messiha Saad ◽  
Darryl Baker ◽  
Rhys Reaves

Thermal properties of materials such as specific heat, thermal diffusivity, and thermal conductivity are very important in the engineering design process and analysis of aerospace vehicles as well as space systems. These properties are also important in power generation, transportation, and energy storage devices including fuel cells and solar cells. Thermal conductivity plays a critical role in the performance of materials in high temperature applications. Thermal conductivity is the property that determines the working temperature levels of the material, and it is an important parameter in problems involving heat transfer and thermal structures. The objective of this research is to develop thermal properties data base for carbon-carbon and graphitized carbon-carbon composite materials. The carbon-carbon composites tested were produced by the Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) process using T300 2-D carbon fabric and Primaset PT-30 cyanate ester. The graphitized carbon-carbon composite was heat treated to 2500°C. The flash method was used to measure the thermal diffusivity of the materials; this method is based on America Society for Testing and Materials, ASTM E1461 standard. In addition, the differential scanning calorimeter was used in accordance with the ASTM E1269 standard to determine the specific heat. The thermal conductivity was determined using the measured values of their thermal diffusivity, specific heat, and the density of the materials.

Author(s):  
Melanie Patrick ◽  
Amber Vital ◽  
Darian Bridges ◽  
Messiha Saad

Thermal properties such as specific heat, thermal diffusivity, and thermal conductivity of carbon and graphite foams are very important in the engineering design process and analysis of aerospace vehicles as well as space systems. These properties are also important in power generation, transportation, and energy storage devices including fuel cells. Thermal conductivity is the property that determines the working temperature levels of the material; it plays a critical role in the performance of materials in high temperature applications and it is an important parameter in problems involving heat transfer and thermal structures. The objective of this paper is to develop a thermal properties data base for carbon and graphite foams. Carbon foams are commercially produced from urethane, petroleum pitch-based and coal-based processes, and they typically have large pores (> 350 μm) and low density (< 1.0 g/cm3). Petroleum pitch-base and coal-base carbon/graphite foams can be tailored to be thermally conductive or thermally insulating. The thermophysical properties of carbon and graphite foams have been investigated using experimental methods. The flash method was used to measure the thermal diffusivity of the foams; this method is based on America Society for Testing and Materials standard (ASTM E1461). In addition, the Differential Scanning Calorimeter was used in accordance with the ASTM E1269 standard to measure the specific heat. The measured thermal diffusivity, specific heat, and density data were used to compute the thermal conductivity of the foams.


Author(s):  
Messiha T. Saad ◽  
Sandi G. Miller ◽  
Torrence Marunda

Thermal properties of composite materials such as, thermal conductivity, diffusivity, and specific heat are very important in engineering design process and analysis of aerospace vehicles as well as space systems. These properties are also important in power generation, transportation, and energy storage devices including fuel cells. Thermal conductivity is the property that determines the working temperature levels of the material; it plays a critical role in the performance of materials in high temperature applications, and it is an important parameter in problems involving heat transfer and thermal structures. The objective of this paper is to develop a thermal properties data base for the carbon fiber-epoxy (IM7/8552-1) composite. The IM7 carbon fiber is a continuous, high performance, intermediate modulus, PAN based fiber. This fiber has been surface treated and can be sized to improve its interlaminar shear properties, handling characteristics, and structural properties. The 8552 is a high performance tough epoxy matrix for use in primary aerospace structures. It exhibits good impact resistance and damage tolerance for a wide range of applications. The IM7/8552-1 is an amine cured unidirectional prepreg. The manufacturer recommended cure cycle for this material was followed, which includes consolidation under vacuum and autoclave pressure. The composite has a service temperature up to 121°C (250°F). The thermal properties of IM7/8552-1 carbon-epoxy have been investigated using experimental methods. The flash method was used to measure the thermal diffusivity of the composite. This method is based on the American Society for Testing and Materials standard, ASTM E1461. In addition, the Differential Scanning Calorimeter was used in accordance with the ASTM E1269 standard to measure the specific heat. The measured thermal diffusivity, specific heat, and density data were used to compute the thermal conductivity of the IM7/8552-1 carbon-epoxy composite.


Author(s):  
Amber Vital ◽  
Bradley Doleman ◽  
Messiha Saad

As today’s technology continues to develop at a rate that was once unimaginable, the demand for new materials that will outperform traditional materials also increases dramatically. To meet these challenges, monolithic materials are being combined to develop new unique materials called composites. Thermophysical properties of composite materials such as thermal conductivity, diffusivity, specific heat, and thermal expansion are very important in engineering design process and analysis of aerospace vehicles as well as space systems. These properties are also important in power generation, transportation, and energy storage devices including fuel cells. Thermal conductivity is the property that determines the working temperature levels of a material and plays a critical role in the performance of materials in high temperature applications. This parameter is important in problems involving heat transfer and thermal structures. The objective of this paper is to develop a thermal properties database for the carbon-epoxy AS4/3501-6 composite. The AS4 carbon fiber used is a unidirectional continuous PAN based fiber, and the 3501-6 epoxy resin is amine cured and provides low shrinkage during the curing process while maintain resistance to chemicals and solvents. The thermophysical properties of the AS4 composite have been investigated using experimental methods. The flash method was used to measure the thermal diffusivity of the composite based on the American Society for Testing and Materials standard, ASTM E1461. In addition, the Differential Scanning Calorimeter was used in accordance with the ASTM E1269 standard to measure the specific heat. The measured thermal diffusivity, specific heat, and density were used to compute the thermal conductivity, thus adding to the currently insufficient database for composite materials and foams.


Author(s):  
Melanie Patrick ◽  
Messiha Saad

Thermal characterization of composites is essential for their proper assignment to a specific application. Specific heat, thermal diffusivity, and thermal conductivity of carbon-carbon composites are essential in the engineering design process and in the analysis of aerospace vehicles, space systems and other high temperature thermal systems. Specifically, thermal conductivity determines the working temperature levels of a material and is influential in its performance in high temperature applications. There is insufficient thermal property data for carbon-carbon composites over a range of temperatures. The purpose of this research is to develop a thermal properties database for carbon-carbon composites that will contain in-plane (i-p) and through-the-thickness (t-t-t) thermal data at different temperatures as well as display the effects of graphitization on the composite material. The carbon-carbon composites tested were fabricated by the Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) technique, utilizing T300 2-D carbon fabric and Primaset PT-30 cyanate ester resin. Experimental methods were employed to measure the thermal properties. Following the ASTM standard E-1461, the flash method enabled the direct measurement of thermal diffusivity. Additionally, differential scanning calorimetry was performed in accordance with the ASTM E-1269 standard to measure the specific heat. The measured thermal diffusivity, specific heat, and density data were used to compute the thermal conductivity of the carbon-carbon composites. The measured through-the-thickness thermal conductivity values of all the materials tested range from 1.0 to 17 W/m·K, while in-plane values range from 3.8 to 4.6 W/m·K due to the effect of fiber orientation. Additionally, the graphitized samples exhibit a higher thermal conductivity because of the nature of the ordered graphite structure.


2021 ◽  
Vol 407 ◽  
pp. 185-191
Author(s):  
Josef Tomas ◽  
Andreas Öchsner ◽  
Markus Merkel

Experimental analyses are performed to determine thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity and volumetric specific heat with transient plane source method on hollow sphere structures. Single-sided testing is used on different samples and different surfaces. Results dependency on the surface is observed.


Author(s):  
Siti Shahirah Suhaili ◽  
Md Azree Othuman Mydin ◽  
Hanizam Awang

The addition of mesocarp fibre as a bio-composite material in foamed concrete can be well used in building components to provide energy efficiency in the buildings if the fibre could also offer excellent thermal properties to the foamed concrete. It has practical significance as making it a suitable material for building that can reduce heat gain through the envelope into the building thus improved the internal thermal comfort. Hence, the aim of the present study is to investigate the influence of different volume fractions of mesocarp fibre on thermal properties of foamed concrete. The mesocarp fibre was prepared with 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60% by volume fraction and then incorporated into the 600, 1200 and 1800 kg/m3 density of foamed concrete with constant cement-sand ratio of 1:1.5 and water-cement ratio of 0.45. Hot disk thermal constant analyser was used to attain the thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity and specific heat capacity of foamed concrete of various volume fractions and densities. From the experimental results, it had shown that addition of mesocarp fibre of 10-40% by volume fraction resulting in low thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity and high the thermal diffusivity of foamed concrete with 600 and 1800 kg/m3 density compared to the control mix while the optimum amount of mesocarp fibre only limit up to 30% by volume fraction for 1200 kg/m3 density compared to control mix. The results demonstrated a very high correlation between thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity and specific heat capacity which R2 value more than 90%.


2011 ◽  
Vol 312-315 ◽  
pp. 577-582 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grzegorz Moskal ◽  
Lucjan Swadźba ◽  
Bartosz Witala

This article presents a study and results concerning the characteristics of selected thermal properties of the powders intended for deposition of gradient structure layers of the TBC type. The study included evaluation of the thermal diffusivity and specific heat of the powders in the initial state, and also calorimetric analysis of powder mixtures. Thermal diffusivity tests were performed with the laser-flash method. The temperature range of the tests was 25°C-1400°C. Specific heat and calorimetric analyses were performed with the heat flux method within a similar temperature range. The Gd2Zr2O7 powders obtained by spray drying method and standard ZrO2 x 8Y2O3 powder were analysed. The thermal diffusivity analysis and calorimetric analysis were performed for the samples obtained by pressing the Gd2Zr2O7 - ZrO2 x 8Y2O3 powder mixture of equal weight fractions. Specific heat measurements were taken for pure powders. The calorimetric analysis performed showed that no significant thermal effects were observed in both pure powders and their mixture within the temperature range of 800°C-1400°C. A small endothermic effect (approx.-7J/g) was observed for gadolinium powder within the temperature range of 350°C-615°C. Specific heat measurements revealed that gadolinium powder was characterized by stable values of that parameter within the whole temperature range like zirconium powder. The analyses performed showed that the powders were characterized by small mutual reactivity, and gadolinium powder showed a definitely lower thermal diffusivity, which is advantageous as regards obtaining TBC layers with a gradient structure on the basis of those two powders.


2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 71-80
Author(s):  
Ide Ejike ◽  
Ike Oluka ◽  
Eze Chukwuka

The specific heat, thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of the Horse-Eye bean (Mucuna sloanei) were determined as a function of moisture content using the method reported by A.O.A.C (2000). The sample varieties used were the Big Sized and the Small Sized Horse-Eye bean. The specific heat and the thermal conductivity were measured using a Bomb Calorimeter. The thermal diffusivity was calculated from the measured specific heat, thermal conductivity and bulk density of the samples. Within the moisture range of 10.5% to 16.87% (b.b), the specific heat, thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity varied with the moisture content. Results showed that the specific heat, thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of the Horse-Eye bean seeds ranged from 116.76 to 203.29 kJ/kgK; 21.07 to 32.23 W/moC; and 3.12 x 10-7 to 9.19 x 10-7 m 2 /s, for the Big Sized varieties, and 112.06 to 194.61 kJ/kgK; 19.85 to 24.08 W/moC; and 3.05 x 10-7 to 6.71 x 10-7 m 2 /s, for the Small Sized varieties as the moisture content increases from 10.5% to 16.87%. Regression analysis were also carried out on the thermal properties of the Horse-Eye bean varieties and moisture content, and there was positive relationship between the parameters. There were significant effects of moisture content (p < 0.05) on all the parameters conducted. The findings and the data generated will create an impact in the food processing industries for Horse-Eye bean.


Author(s):  
Heng Ban ◽  
Zilong Hua

The laser flash method is a standard method for thermal diffusivity measurement. This paper reports the development of a method and theory that extends the standard laser flash method to measure thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity simultaneously. By attaching a transparent reference layer with known thermal properties on the back of a sample, the thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of the sample can be extracted from the temperature response of the interface between the sample and the reference layer to a heating pulse on the front surface. The theory can be applied for sample and reference layer with different thermal properties and thickness, and the original analysis of the laser flash method becomes a limiting case of the current theory with an infinitely small thickness of the reference layer. The uncertainty analysis was performed and results indicated that the laser flash method can be used to extract the thermal conductivity and diffusivity of the sample. The results can be applied to, for instance, opaque liquid in a quartz dish with silicon infrared detector measuring the temperature of liquid-quartz interface through the quartz.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document