TWI

A flat heat pipe with Al₂O₃ nanofluid or deionised water as the working medium was designed, the relationship between pipe parameters and heat transfer characteristics was analysed, and the application of the heat pipe to friction stir welding was examined with respect to decrease of peak temperature in the welded joint and temperature field uniformity in the nugget zone. Experiments were performed in which the flat heat pipe was loaded on both sides of the welding area of a test sheet (thickness 4 mm). Welding was conducted at a rotational speed of 1500 rpm and a welding speed of 50 mm/min. Temperature curves of test plates and heat pipes were obtained for deionised water and Al₂O₃ nanofluid working media. The ability of nanofluids to increase the start-up speed and isothermal performance of the heat pipe is discussed.

10th International Symposium, 20-22 May 2014, Poster Session, Paper 16