Effect of metallic coatings on the thermal contact conductance of turned surfaces

Journal Article · Thu Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1990 · Journal of Heat Transfer (Transcations of the ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers), Series C); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2910493· OSTI ID:5401138

Kang, T K; Peterson, G P; Fletcher, L S ^[1]

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1. Texas A and M Univ., College Station (USA)

An experimental investigation was conducted to determine the degree to which the thermal contact conductance at the interface of contacting Aluminum 6061 T6 surfaces could be enhanced through the use of vapor-deposited metallic coating. Three different coating materials (lead, tin, and indium) were evaluated using four different thicknesses for each coating material. The results verified the existence of an optimum coating thickness, shown to be in the range of 2.0 to 3.0 {mu}m for indium, 1.5 to 2.5 {mu}m for lead, and 0.2 to 0.5 {mu}m for tin. The enhancement factors for thermal contact condcutance were found to be on the order of 700, 400, and 50%, respectively. Based upon the experimental data, the hardness of the coating materials appears to be the most significant parameter in ranking the substrate and coating material combinations; however, addition experimental data are needed to substantiate this hypothesis. Finally, it was apparent that the thermal contact conductance enhancement effect was greatest at low contact pressures and decreased significantly with increases in the contact pressure.

• OSTI ID: 5401138
• Journal Information: Journal of Heat Transfer (Transcations of the ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers), Series C); (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Heat Transfer (Transcations of the ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers), Series C); (United States) Vol. 112:4; ISSN 0022-1481; ISSN JHTRA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360104* -- Metals & Alloys-- Physical Properties
ALLOYS
ALUMINIUM ALLOYS
COATINGS
CONTROL
ELEMENTS
ENERGY TRANSFER
HEAT PIPES
HEAT TRANSFER
INDIUM
LEAD
METALS
PRESSURE EFFECTS
SPACE VEHICLES
TEMPERATURE CONTROL
THERMAL CONDUCTION
TIN
VAPOR DEPOSITED COATINGS
VEHICLES