<title>New high-thermal-conductivity composite material for high-precision space optics</title>

Abstract

This paper reports on the newly developed graphite-cyanate composite pipes for high-precision space optics such as the Solar-B optical telescope. Fundamental mechanical, thermal, and hygroscopic properties of unidirectional graphite- cyanate laminates were evaluated, first. The orientation of fibers in the pipe was designed to minimize longitudinal thermal deformation. Model pipes were fabricated based on the design, and have conducted a series of measurements to evaluate the thermal expansion behavior, the hygroscopic performance, the thermal conductivity, and the long-term stability. Excellent performance of the pipe was successfully verified and the material was found to be the most promising candidate for space optics structures.