Development of carbon composite property requirements for high heat flux components

Abstract The traditional approach to material selection is to survey existing material property databases and identify a reference material for use in the design, based in part upon the extent of that material's database and it's commercial availability. In this study a different approach was taken. Instead of surveying existing databases, parametric studies were conducted to determine the sensitivity of design features to material properties. Using these studies, a set of material property guidelines were established and the existing graphite and carbon fiber composite databases surveyed to identify the most promising candidates. Based on the results of this study, it was determined that carbon fiber composites, because their properties can be tailored through fiber design, best fit the operational requirements for high heat flux components.