Determining the Role of Porosity on the Thermal Properties of Graphite Foam

Graphite foams have high bulk thermal conductivity and low density, making them an excellent material for heat exchanger applications. This research focused on the characterization of graphite foams under various processing conditions (different foaming pressures and particle additions), specifically studying the effects of porosity on the thermal properties. The characterization of the foams included measuring cell sizes, percent open porosity, number of cells per square inch, bulk density, Archimedes density, compression strength, thermal conductivity, thermal resistance, and permeability. Several relationships between the structure and properties were established, and a recommendation for the processing conditions of graphite foams for the use in heat exchangers was determined.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Materials Science and Engineering

Department dc:contributor.department

Materials Science and Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2008

Author dc:creator

• Mueller, Jennifer Elizabeth

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Kampe, Stephen L.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Klett, James
• Corcoran, Sean G.
• Poquette, Ben
• Pickrell, Gary R.

• Heat--Transmission
• Porosity
• Characterization
• Graphite Foam

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Dc Identifier Other

etd-07222008-202248

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/34110