Extraordinary thermophysical properties of an aluminum-matrix composite processed by gas pressure infiltration

Abstract Several components used in space applications can benefit from cooling systems made from materials combining high thermal conductivities with low densities. Additionally, a low coefficient of thermal expansion is desirable to reduce mechanical stresses under geometrically constrained conditions. In the present work, this property portfolio is investigated with a material system of aluminum-matrix composites using pitch-based carbon fibers. These MMC materials are realized using gas pressure infiltration technology. Different layup configurations allow for tailoring the directionality of the heat transfer. The thermophysical properties show extraordinarily high values for the unidirectional scenarios and good properties for the bidirectional and the quasi-isotropic layups. Finally, a set of samples is studied in a thermal shock scenario, which evidences the formation of weak cracks with, however, very modest effects on the thermal conductivity values.