Development and Qualification of a Very Efficient Thermal Link based on Pyrolytic Graphite

Airbus DS Space Systems España (ASE) has developed and qualified for space applications a Very Efficient Thermal Link (VETL), based on pyrolytic graphite, sealed with polyimide film, and combined with optimized aluminium end-fittings. The basis of the product is a thermally conductive material, called pyrolytic graphite which is used in everyday products such as smartphones, tablets and computers as heat spreader and have limited formats and standard layouts in the commercial market. The performance of the product with a light, flexible material that has better conductivity than aluminium or copper, permits better efficiency of the thermal link itself and the overall thermal control subsystem. The main features of the Very Efficient Thermal Link are: • Low stiffness • Negligible introduction of loads to nearby hardware • Easy assembly with the rest of the thermal control system • Low mass • Optimized I/F end-fitting design to reduce thermal losses • Limitless geometrical design • Cleanliness of manufacturing process and final product This paper describes the mechanical and thermal tests performed to the thermal links industrialized by AIRBUS DS in the frame of a development programme with the philosophy of an application programme (the self-imposed requirements envelope several past programmes requests). The mechanical and thermal performances of this new product, based on the development campaign test results, are also analyzed and discussed in the paper.