Numerical and experimental investigation of transversal effective thermal conductivity of sandwich panel with lattice core under vacuum environment

This study investigates the transversal effective thermal conductivity of an additively manufactured periodic body-centered cubic (BCC) lattice core sandwich panel, commonly used in space applications, under vacuum environment. Theoretical calculations are performed based on the approaches which utilize the relative density of BCC lattice structures to estimate thermal conductivity. Numerical simulations were done using solid finite element (FE) model of the BCC with face sheets to predict its effective thermal conductivity. FE model of the lattice panel was developed to represent the test procedure using effective thermal properties of the lattice core. An experimental setup was established in a thermal vacuum chamber to test the thermal conductivity of the additively manufactured lattice panel and provide validation of the simulation results. The lattice core sandwich panel was designed for a micro satellite and tested in a vacuum environment simulating space conditions as a contribution to literature. The numerical analyses conducted for the experimental setup showed good agreement with the temperatures measured by the thermocouples and remained within the measurement accuracy (±1.5°C) of the thermocouples. Thus, the study highlights the effectiveness of combining simulation and experimental techniques to accurately predict thermal behavior in space environments. The findings provide valuable insights for the design of lightweight, thermally efficient sandwich panels for future space missions.