COATING AND PLATING PROCESSES FOR HIGH THERMAL PERFORMACNE COMPOSITES

This project will identify and develop new low cost high thermal performance coating systems for composite thermal management materials, particularly high conductivity carbon-carbon. Three materials/processes will be investigated including a new type of chemical vapor deposition called combustion chemical vapor deposition (CCVD), a new proprietary filled polymer having very high thermal conductivity (33 w/m-k), and two types of plating processes. Materials to be evaluated in Phase I include aluminum, nickel, copper, diamond, platinum, and filled polymer. The focus of this project will be in two areas; 1) identification of low cost materials having acceptable thermal performance as a coating; and 2) identification and characterization of process parameters critical to successful fabrication. Results of the Phase I project will be used to develop a Phase II plan that includes approaches to resolving key development issues.