Thermal conductivity of various CFRPs from 100 mK to 20 K

TL;DR

This study measures the thermal conductivity of various CFRPs at cryogenic temperatures from 100 mK to 20 K, providing valuable data for aerospace applications in extremely cold environments.

Contribution

The paper introduces a new analysis method for accurately determining thermal conductivity of CFRPs at cryogenic temperatures and compares different fiber types and configurations.

Findings

T300 and T700 fibers show higher thermal conductivity at low temperatures.

Thermal conductivity varies significantly with fiber type and density.

Results align with and extend previous research on cryogenic CFRP behavior.

Abstract

Carbon-fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRPs) are some of the most useful materials for building spacecraft and aerospace tools. They are especially valuable for systems that work at extremely cold (cryogenic) temperatures because they are strong, lightweight, and don't transfer heat easily. In this study, researchers measured how well heat moves through several different types of carbon fiber samples, specifically T300, T700, HS40, M55J, and IMA, at different fiber layouts and densities. These measurements were taken at ultra-cold temperatures ranging from 100 mK to 20 K. The team used a newly developed analysis method to calculate the thermal conductivity for each sample. Finally, they shared how each material behaved at different temperatures and compared their findings to previous research.