Conductive Carbon Fiber Polymer Composite

About this technology

Overview

A team of inventors from NASA Langley and NASA Ames have created a new type of carbon fiber polymer composite that has a high thermal conductivity. This was achieved by incorporating Pyrolytic Graphite Sheets (PGSs) and Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs), which enhance the material's ability to transfer heat when compared to typical carbon fiber composites. Carbon fiber polymer composites are frequently used in aerospace structures because they are light, strong, and require minimal maintenance. However, they typically have poor thermal conductivity, which limits their use to applications where heat transfer is not required. Where heat transfer is needed, aluminum alloys are used instead, but they have drawbacks such as lower strength, higher weight, and increased maintenance needs compared to composites. The new material developed by NASA addresses this issue by combining the benefits of a carbon fiber composite with the high thermal conductivity of metal alloys. NASA is currently working on using this material for in-space applications, such as heat exchangers or radiators for removing carbon dioxide from the crew cabin atmosphere. On Earth, the composite could be used to create new radiators or heat exchangers for use in automotive or electronics applications.