Low-mass, intrinsically-hard high temperature radiator. Final report, Phase I

Technical Report · Sun Jul 15 00:00:00 EDT 1990

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/444051· OSTI ID:444051

This paper reports on the investigation of layered ceramic/metal composites in the design of low-mass hardened radiators for space heat rejection systems. The investigation is part of the Strategic Defence Initiative. This effort evaluated the use of layered composites as a material to form thin-walled, vacuum leaktight heat pipes. The heat pipes would be incorporated into a large heat pipe radiator for waste heat rejection from a space nuclear power source. Composite materials evaluations were performed on combinations of refractory metals and ceramic powders. Fabrication experiments were performed to demonstrate weldability. Two titanium/titanium diboride composite tubes were successfully fabricated into potassium heat pipes and operated at temperatures in excess of 700C. Testing and analysis for composite tubes are described in the report. The study has verified the feasibility of using layered composites for forming thin-walled, light weight heat pipe tubes for use in hardened space radiators.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States); Thermacore, Inc., Lancaster, PA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: Department of Defense, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 444051
• Report Number(s): LA-SUB-93-94; ON: DE97004258; TRN: 97:001676
• Resource Relation: Other Information: PBD: 15 Jul 1990
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 NUCLEAR POWER REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
TUBES
MECHANICAL TESTS
CERAMICS
TITANIUM BORIDES
BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE
SPACE POWER REACTORS
RADIATORS
WASTE HEAT
CERMETS
NIOBIUM
MOLYBDENUM
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems