Apparatus and Methods for Processing Exfoliated Graphite Materials

摘要

Methods and apparatus for processing flexible graphite sheet material involve patterning the material, on at least one major surface, prior to further processing of the material such as densification, lamination, folding or shaping into three-dimensional structures. For densification and lamination, the patterning is selected to facilitate the removal of air from the flexible graphite sheet material during the densification and lamination process. For folding or shaping, the patterning is selected to render the graphite sheet material more flexible. In some embodiments, methods for increasing the through-plane conductivity of flexible graphite sheet material are employed. Integrated heat removal devices include sheets of graphite material that have been selectively patterned in different regions to impart desirable localized properties to the material prior to it being shaped or formed into an integrated heat removal device. Coatings and/or resin impregnation can also be used to impart desirable properties to the material or device.

主权项

1. A method of making an integrated heat removal device comprising:
(a) selectively patterning a graphite sheet material to form a selectively patterned graphite sheet material; and (b) forming said selectively patterned graphite sheet material into a three-dimensional structure; wherein said selectively patterning a graphite sheet material comprises patterning said graphite sheet material in a first region to increase the through-plane thermal conductivity of the material in said first region.