Improving Through-Thickness Thermal Conductivity of Carbon/Epoxy Laminates(1001-280)

Triton Systems proposes to increase the through-thickness thermal conductivity of carbon/epoxy structural laminates by selective employment of high thermal conductivity fiber materials and a proven 3-D laminate architecture. Using this approach, it has been shown that through thickness thermal conductivity of structural carbon epoxy laminates can be increased so that the overall heat transfer capacity of the laminate is 95% that of the baseline aluminum structure. At the same time, the laminate retains 86% of its in-plane strain-to-failure. Triton’s Phase I approach ensures all materials and processes developed in this program will be compatible with current missile airframe manufacturing practices; including both hand lay-up / autoclave cure and filament winding processes. In order to successfully transition this technology to solve thermal management problems in composite missile airframe structures, Triton has assembled a strong team that complements Triton’s expertise in composite materials and processes with expertise in thermal management / testing and in-depth knowledge of the requirements of Army tactical missile systems.