Method and apparatus for producing a carbon based foam article having a desired thermal-conductivity gradient
- Knoxville, TN
- Sanford, NC
A carbon based foam article is made by heating the surface of a carbon foam block to a temperature above its graphitizing temperature, which is the temperature sufficient to graphitize the carbon foam. In one embodiment, the surface is heated with infrared pulses until heat is transferred from the surface into the core of the foam article such that the graphitizing temperature penetrates into the core to a desired depth below the surface. The graphitizing temperature is maintained for a time sufficient to substantially entirely graphitize the portion of the foam article from the surface to the desired depth below the surface. Thus, the foam article is an integral monolithic material that has a desired conductivity gradient with a relatively high thermal conductivity in the portion of the core that was graphitized and a relatively low thermal conductivity in the remaining portion of the foam article.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-00OR22725
- Assignee:
- UT-Battelle, LLC (Oak Ridge, TN)
- Patent Number(s):
- 7,670,682
- Application Number:
- US Patent Application 11/862,325
- OSTI ID:
- 1014537
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
High heat-flux response of high-conductivity graphitic foam monoblocks
High Thermal Conductivity Carbon Foam used for the Thermal Management of Engine Oil