Thermal Conductivity of Closed Cell Aluminum Foam

Abstract This research focuses on the thermal conductivity of closed-cell aluminum foam and the various factors that influence it. The effective thermal conductivity of closed-cell aluminum foam was measured via the steady-state method. Results show that when the porosity is between 76% and 90%, the thermal conductivity of the foam ranges from 1 to 7 W·m−1·K−1. Thermally conductive silicone was employed in the experimental setup to minimize contact thermal resistance. The thermal conductivity of the cell wall was determined through the remelting and melting method yielding values of 111 W·m−1·K−1 and 102 W·m−1·K−1 respectively, with calculation further refined using jmatpro software. Various porous models were developed to simulate the thermal conductivity of closed-cell aluminum foam, with the CT model yielding the most accurate results in its predictions. Additionally, the effects of heterogeneous structure, as well as the plateau borders, micropores, and oxides within the cell wall, on the thermal conductivity of porous structures were investigated. Simulation results demonstrate that these specialized structural features significantly reduce the effective thermal conductivity in closed-cell aluminum foams.