Properties of high thermal conductivity carbon-carbon composites for thermal management applications

Carbon (fiber) - Carbon (matrix) composites have the highest thermal conductivity per unit density among materials suitable for thermal management applications. GC composites also have high toughness and their mechanical strength increases with temperature. We have developed Cc materials and structures for heat management applications at elevated temperatures, using pitch-based fiber preforms. Densities of 2.0-2.2 g/cm(3), in-plane thermal conductivity of 690 W/m.K and tensile strength of 400 MPa have been measured in thin panels. Structures suitable for thermal management aerospace applications have been fabricated.