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Structural Characterization of Micron-scaled Reticulated Copper Foams

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 March 2011

Stephanie J Lin
Affiliation:
School of Material Science and Engineering, Georgia Tech ,771 Ferst Drive, Atlanta, GA 30332
Jason H. Nadler
Affiliation:
Georgia Tech Research Institute, 925 Dalney St, Atlanta GA 30332
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Abstract

The development of a multifunctional, micron-scaled, reticulated copper foam that reliably exhibits high intrinsic thermal conductivity, efficient capillary fluid and evaporative transport over a wide area presents a unique challenge. In this work, the relationship of critical foam processing variables such as sintering temperature and template size on the pore size distribution and pore neck/body ratio is investigated using image analysis. The resulting fluid permeability values of these foams are estimated by using the Kozeny Carman equation and the porosity, surface area per unit area and tortuosity obtained through image analysis. Estimating the fluid permeability of these foams is useful for predicting the mass and heat transfer within the porous network, and provides a metric for optimizing the foam’s structural characteristics for a particular application.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2011

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