MSR - Chapter Title

1 Radiator Materials Appendix

1.1 Summary

In the course of the radiator design, the design team considered a variety of materials for
the supports, panels and heat pipes. The team compiled the important thermo-physical
properties of materials commonly used for these purposes below.

1.2 Structural Materials

1.2.1 Non-metals
The benefits of non-metal structural materials are higher melting points and smaller
densities when compared to metal alloys. Carbon-carbon fiber materials are a new but
expanding category of materials that offer tensile strengths similar to metals with very
low density, in combination with flexibility and chemical resistance. The very high
melting points of these materials also add structural integrity and a greater margin of
safety with respect to overheating transients.

Table Structural Materials -1: Thermo-physical properties of non-metallic elements

and compounds that are candidates for use in a Martian or Lunar radiator as structural
materials.
Solid
Specific Thermal Melting
Density
Heat Conductivity Point Emissivity
(kg/m3
(J/g K) (W/m K) (K)
)
Graphite 2250 0.69 24 3800 0.9
Carbon-Carbon
1000 0.3 66 3650 0.9
Composite
Zirconium Carbide 6730 0.37 21 3805 0.4
Silicon Carbide 3200 0.84 50 2200

-1-
MSR - Chapter Title

1.2.2 Metals
The benefits of metallic structural materials include high thermal conductivities and
tensile strength; however, the low melting points pose the problem of long-term
deformation. In addition, oxidation effects at high temperatures may alter the thermal or
mechanical properties.

Table Structural Materials -2: Thermo-physical properties of metals and metallic

compounds that are candidates for use in a Martian or Lunar radiator as structural
materials.
Solid
Specific Thermal Melting
Density
Heat Conductivity Point Emissivity
(kg/m3
(J/g K) (W/m K) (K)
)
Aluminum
2700 0.896 167 855-925 0.1
6061-T6
Carbon Steel 7872 0.481 51.9 1813 0.9
Stainless Steel 7850 0.5145 12.22 1643
Titanium 4500 0.528 17 1923 0.63
Niobium 8570 0.265 54 2750

-2-
MSR - Chapter Title

1.3 Working Fluids

1.3.1 Non-metals
The non-metallic fluids are generally less reactive, less dense, and have lower melting
points than the metals; however, their thermal conductivities are also significantly lower.
The low melting points will make it easier to thaw out the radiator components at startup
and decrease the chance of solid blockages occurring. Because of the low boiling points
of non-metallic fluids, radiator piping may require extremely high pressures to force
fluids to remain liquid as they enter an evaporator section. High pressures necessitate
ticker walls on radiator piping and increase the chance of major leakage from the system.

The gases listed are attractive because of their very low masses and reasonable heat
capacities. However, the low density would require high pressures and high flow rates. A
system of pumps would be required to maintain high flow rates, which introduces a major
source of failures and significant power consumption. The Freon derivatives listed here
make up only a partial list of the possible chlorofluorocarbon radiator fluids; however,
environmental regulations may make most of these alternatives impractical.

Table Working Fluids -3: Thermo-physical properties of non-metallic elements and

compounds that are candidates for use as the working fluid in a Martian or Lunar
radiator.
Liquid Gas
Specific Thermal Melting Boiling
Density Density
Heat Conductivity Point Point
(kg/m3 (kg/m3
(J/g K) (W/m K) (K) (K)
) )
Ammonia 682 0.86 1.673 0.0221 195 239.5
CO2 1032 2.814 0.657 0.0146 194.5 194.5
Freon-12 1486 6.25 0.54 0.0094 115 243
Freon-13 1526 6.94 0.494 0.0123 84 192
Freon-22 1413 4.706 0.561 116 232
Freon-23 1431 4.57 117.9 191
Helium 124.96 16.9 5.193 0.1426 0.8 4
Nitrogen 808.6 4.614 0.742 0.024 63 77.1

-3-
MSR - Chapter Title

1.3.2 Metals
The metallic fluids’ main benefits are high thermal conductivities and boiling points,
which make them ideal for a low pressure natural flow system. However they are also
much denser, thus heavier, and more chemically reactive than other substances under
consideration. Increased densities may offer an advantage, however, when considering
structural failures since the fissure needed to leak material is much greater than for a light
gas such as helium.

Researchers have done a large amount of research and development with these materials
geared towards high-temperature heat transfer and space radiators. For instance, lithium
is a common working fluid in terrestrial and space heat pipes because it offers a low
density and high specific heat, although its melting point may be too high to ensure full
melting in the current application.

Table Working Fluids -4: Thermo-physical properties of metals and metallic

compounds that are candidates for use as the working fluid in a Martian or Lunar
radiator.
Thermal Heat of
Solid Liquid Gas Specific Melting Boiling
Conduct Vaporizat
Density Density Density Heat Point Point
ivity ion
(kg/m3) (kg/m3) (kg/m3) (J/g K) (K) (K)
(W/m K) (kJ/kg)
Lead-
Bismuth 10500 0.15 12 397 1943
Eutectic
Lithium 530 512 457 3.305 71.2 453 1615 22730
Potassium 860 680 600 0.757 99.2 337 1032 1985
Sodium 970 927 711 1.225 135 371 1156 3874

-4-
MSR - Chapter Title

References
[1] Air Liquide. (2004). “Gas Data,” Air Liquide (Online).
http://www.airliquide.com/en/business/products/gases/gasdata/index.asp
[2] Air Liquide. (2004). “Material Safety Data Sheets,” Air Liquide (Online).
http://www.airliquide.com/safety/msds/en/index.htm
[3] Bauccio, Michael. (1994). ASM Engineered Materials Reference Book,
2nd ed. ASM International, Materials Park, OH.
[4] Boyer, H.E. and Gall, T.L. (Eds.). (1985). Metals Handbook. American
Society for Metals, Materials Park, OH.
[5] Giancoli, Douglas C. (1989). Physics for Scientists and Engineers with
Modern Physics, 2nd ed. Prentice Hall Publishers, Englewood Cliffs, NJ.
[6] Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 84th ed. CRC Press LLC, 2004.
[7] Ho, C.Y. and Holt, J.M. (Eds.). (1996). Structural Alloys Handbook,
1996 ed. CINDAS / Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.
[8] Indium Corporation of America. (2004). “Table of Specialty Alloys and
Solders,” Indium Corporation of America (Online).
http://www.indium.com/products/physicalproperties.php
[9] Metal Handbook Volume 2- Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys
and Special Purpose Materials, 10th ed. ASM International, 1990.
[10] Metals Handbook Desk Edition, (1998) Second Edition, ASM
International. ASM Handbooks Online. (Online).
http://www.asmmaterials.info
[11] Morita, K., Maschek W., Flad M., Tobita Y., Yamano H. (2004).
“Thermophysical Properties of Lead-Bismuth Eutectic Alloy for Use in
Reactor Safety Analysis,” Meeting of NEA Nuclear Science Committee
Working Group on LBE Technology of the WPFC. NEA Headquarters,
Issy-les-Moulineaux, France.
[12] N. Mukherjee, N., Sinha, I.K. (1996). “Thermal Shocks in Composite
Plates: a Coupled Thermoelastic Finite Element Analysis,” Composite
Structures 34.
[13] Nayer, Alok. (1997). The Metals Databook. McGraw-Hill, New York.
[14] Physical Constants of Inorganic Compounds. (2004). Handbook of
Chemistry and Physics, 84th ed. CRC Press LLC.
[15] Ross, Robert R. (1992). Metallic Materials Specification Handbook, 4th
ed. Chapman and Hall, London.
[16] SAE Ferrous Materials Standards Manual, 1999 ed. HS-30, Society of
Automotive Engineers, Inc., Warrendale, PA, 1999.
[17] Suzuki, T., Chen X., Rineiski, A., Maschek, W. (2003). “Analyses of
Unprotected Transients in the Lead/Bismuth-Cooled Accelerator Driven
System PDS-XADS,” Proceedings of Global 2003: 2003 ANS/ENS
International Winter Meeting. New Orleans, LA.
[18] Thermal and Physical Properties of Pure Metals. (2004). Handbook of
Chemistry and Physics, 84th ed. CRC Press LLC.
[19] Winkler, E.M. (1975). Stone: Properties, Durability in Man’s
Environment, 2nd ed. Springer-Verlay, New York.

-5-