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A novel approach of manufacturing Nickel Wicks for loop heat pipes using Metal Injection Moulding (MIM)

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Abstract

Sintered nickel powder is proposed to be used as porous wicks in loop heat pipes used for space applications such as satellites and space crafts. In this work, the manufacturing procedure for tubular wicks through novel Metal Injection Moulding (MIM) route is discussed. Nickel powder, Polypropylene powder and thermoplastic binder are used to produce feedstock for injection moulding. Ideal sintering condition identified as 900°C and 60 minutes. Porosity, pore diameter of the wicks are evaluated by geometric measurements using an electronic weight measuring machine and a micrometer and extrusion flow Porosimeter, respectively. Permeability was calculated according to the Carmen–Kozeny equation. Experimental finding shows that porosity level of 55 vol%, average pore diameter of 2.6 μm, permeability of 1.94 × 10 − 12 m2 and roundness of 5% have been achieved in the porous wick. SEM investigation of pore structures shows the presence of large pores which leads to enhanced porosity and interconnected fine pore network responsible for generation of required capillary pumping pressure.

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Acknowledgements

Authors would like to thank Prof. (Dr.) Gautam Biswas, Director, Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI), Durgapur for his continuous encouragement to carry out this research work. Authors also would like to thank Dr. Amrit Ambiaranjan, Scientist, ISRO Satellite centre, Bangalore and Dr. Kripal Singh, Scientist, CSMCRI for their technical support during execution of this work. Thanks to the members of the Foundry Group and the NDT & Metallurgy group of CMERI for their help and support in this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Foundry Group, CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute, Durgapur, 713 209, India

    S K SAMANTA, P ROSENJIT DAS, A K LOHAR, S KUMAR & A K CHOWDHURY

  2. NDT & Metallurgy Group, CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute, Durgapur, 713 209, India

    H ROY

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  1. S K SAMANTA
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  2. P ROSENJIT DAS
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  3. A K LOHAR
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Correspondence to P ROSENJIT DAS.

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SAMANTA, S.K., DAS, P.R., LOHAR, A.K. et al. A novel approach of manufacturing Nickel Wicks for loop heat pipes using Metal Injection Moulding (MIM). Sadhana 38, 281–296 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12046-013-0135-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12046-013-0135-3

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