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Image based in silico characterisation of the effective thermal properties of a graphite foam

Evans, LM; Margetts, L; Lee, PD; Butler, CAM; Surrey, E; (2019) Image based in silico characterisation of the effective thermal properties of a graphite foam. Carbon , 143 pp. 542-558. 10.1016/j.carbon.2018.10.031. Green open access

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Abstract

Functional materials’ properties are influenced by microstructures which can be changed during manufacturing. A technique is presented which digitises graphite foam via X-ray tomography and converts it into image-based models to determine properties in silico. By simulating a laser flash analysis its effective thermal conductivity is predicted. Results show ∼1% error in the direction the foam was ‘grown’ during manufacturing but is significantly less accurate in plane due to effective thermal conductivity resulting from both the foam's microstructure and graphite's crystalline structure. An empirical relationship is found linking these by using a law of mixtures. A case study is presented demonstrating the technique's use to simulate a heat exchanger component containing graphite foam with micro-scale accuracy using literature material properties for solid graphite. Compared against conventional finite element modelling there is no requirement to firstly experimentally measure the foam's effective bulk properties. Additionally, improved local accuracy is achieved due to exact location of contact between the foam and other parts of the component. This capability will be of interest in design and manufacture of components using graphite materials. The software used was developed by the authors and is open source for others to undertake similar studies.

Type: Article
Title: Image based in silico characterisation of the effective thermal properties of a graphite foam
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1016/j.carbon.2018.10.031
Publisher version: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2018.10.031
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
Keywords: X-ray tomography, Graphite foam, Image-based modelling, Finite element method, Virtual characterisation, Thermal conductivity
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Engineering Science
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Engineering Science > Dept of Mechanical Engineering
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10064793
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