Self cooling functionality via vascular channel heat transit in an epoxy matrix

Vascular networks within polymer matrix composites have been developed in recent years. The systems offer a wide range of functionality including self-healing, self-sensing and also thermal control. This paper has looked at utilising internal vascular architecture within an epoxy matrix to control the part temperature via circulation of fluids. Networks have been created through the embedding and removal of sacrificial fibres. Parts were exposed to heat in contact/conduction and non-contact/convection experiments. Vascular components with fluid circulation exhibited as much as 73% heat reduction for conduction and 48% heat reduction for convection experiments, when compared to non-vascular parts. Components were also trialled in a freeze-thaw experiment.