METHOD OF PRODUCING A HEAT TRANSFER SURFACE ON A METAL WALL FOR EXAMPLE FOR A HEAT PIPE

摘要

An improved metallic heat transfer surface for heat transfer during change of phase of a medium in contact therewith and method of making. A smooth metallic surface is lightly etched to form evaporation and/or condensation nuclei. The nuclei are defined by peaks and valleys in the material, the peaks substantially extending to the envelope of the surface prior to etching and the vallyes extending into said material not more than 10 mu (1x10-3mm).