NASA Advanced Radiator C[Single Bond]C Fin Development

A robust, low mass carbon‐carbon composite fin structure was developed for application to both low and high temperature radiator designs. The fabrication and test results of three layer structures with unidirectional cores based on vapor grown carbon fibers and on pitch fibers are presented. The development of attachment techniques for this low thermal expansion fin material to titanium heat transport tubing is also described. Results of a three‐dimensional, finite element model which includes three material layers and anisotropic properties are presented and compared with the experimental development work. Promising approaches for fin attachment by brazing are described.