ICEC/ICMC 2014 Conference

A CTE heat switch for cryogenic space applications near 100 K using UHMW-Polyethylene as actuator material

10 Jul 2014, 10:30

2h 15m

Poster presentation (105min) C-04: Space cryogenic applications Thu-Mo-Posters Session 3.1

Speaker

Mr Marc Dietrich (TransMIT GmbH)

Description

Recently, we designed and built a proof-of-concept heat switch for space applications based on the high thermal expansion coefficient (CTE) of Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight-Polyethylene (UHMW-PE). The initial design showed a reliable switching performance [1]. A new design is proposed which is focused on lower mass and increased reliability, as well as a better understanding of the CTE material behavior at cryogenic temperatures. Measured material properties such as CTE, thermal conductivity, and Young´s modulus of UHMW-PE between 330 and 70 K are presented as well as the new switch design. [1] M. Dietrich, A. Euler, and G. Thummes, Cryogenics vol. 59, 70-75 (2014) This work is financially supported by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi), grant numbers 50EE0940 and 50EE1322.

Presentation materials

Poster

ICEC25_MD.pdf