Document Type
Conference Paper
Journal/Book Title/Conference
21st International Cryocooler Conference
Publisher
International Cryocooler Conference, Inc.
Publication Date
12-2020
First Page
1
Last Page
10
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
Abstract
Thermal straps are an essential component when using vibration sensitive instruments and cryocoolers in close proximity. Thermal straps conduct heat from the instrument to the cryocooler while limiting the amount of mechanical vibration the cryocooler transfers back to the instrument. Thermal straps are made from flexible, thermally conductive materials. Traditionally, they are made of metal – aluminum or copper, mostly – that has been formed into thin foils, wires, or braids to provide greater flexibility while still providing good thermal conductivity. These metallic straps, if made from pure metals, provide superior thermal performance at cryogenic temperatures ( < 60 K ) where their thermal conductivities peak to extraordinary levels. Pyrolytic graphite sheet (PG S) thermal straps have a thermal conductance that peaks at higher temperatures – approximately 160 K – and provide much higher mass-specific thermal conductance at temperatures above 60 K than metallic straps. This paper discusses the pros and cons of aluminum, copper, and PG S thermal straps along with different techniques to test their thermal and mechanical performance.
Recommended Citation
Ralphs, M.; Sinfield, M.; and Felt, M., "High Performance Thermal Straps for a Full Range of Application Temperatures" (2020). Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications. Paper 302.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/sdl_pubs/302