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. C-C composites also have high toughness and their mechanical strength increases with temperature. We have developed C-C materials and structures for heat management applications at elevated temperatures, using pitch-based fiber preforms. Densities of 2.0-2.2 g/cm/sup 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.