Structural alumnium heat sinks for weight efficient systems

TISICS develops and manufactures silicon carbide fibre and fibre reinforced titanium matrix and aluminium matrix composites. These metal composites are typically 30% lighter than conventional metals and up to 70% lighter in optimised designs. TISICS has been working on a collaborative space sector project and identified a potential application for fibre reinforced aluminium to reinforce liquid/vapour heat pipes used for thermal management in space and terrestrial applications. The very high strength aluminium composites (1200MPa) and high stiffness (140GPa) have higher performance than titanium alloys whilst retaining similar thermal properties to the aluminium matrix alloy. The project aims to assess fabrication and mechanical performance of metal matrix composite heat pipes as a pre-cursor to determine whether it is possible to develop a structural heat pipe for both space and terrestrial use. Combining structure and thermal management will reduce mass. Whilst space is the initial market, aerospace will follow. With appropriate capacity and economics we can address an electric car market.