What are the effects of material selection on heat pipe performance?

As a highly efficient heat conduction device, the material selection of heat pipe is crucial to its performance. The basic structure of heat pipe includes shell, core and internal working fluid. The material of each part will affect its overall performance, such as thermal conductivity, durability, corrosion resistance, etc. The following will explore how the selection of different materials in heat pipe affects its performance.

1. Thermal conductivity
The main function of heat pipe is to transfer heat, so the thermal conductivity of the material is the first factor to be considered. Common heat pipe materials include carbon steel, copper, stainless steel and aluminum.

Copper performs well as a thermal conductive material and has a high thermal conductivity. Therefore, copper heat pipes are often the first choice in situations where efficient heat conduction is required.
Although aluminum has a slightly lower thermal conductivity than copper, it has a better cost-effectiveness and lower weight, and is suitable for lightweight design products.
Carbon steel and stainless steel have low thermal conductivity, but they have unique advantages in certain environments, such as high strength and corrosion resistance.
2. Corrosion and oxidation resistance
When selecting heat pipe materials, the corrosion and oxidation resistance of the material are also important considerations, especially in some harsh environments, such as high humidity, high salinity or chemical contact.

Stainless steel has good corrosion and oxidation resistance, so it is often used in applications with high environmental requirements, such as industrial heating equipment or high humidity environments.
Copper can form an oxide protective film in the air and has certain anti-oxidation ability, but additional protection measures may be required in strong acid or alkaline environments.
Aluminum also has strong corrosion resistance, especially in humid environments, and can form an aluminum oxide film on the surface to provide protection.
3. Mechanical strength and durability
Heat pipes need to withstand certain mechanical stresses during use, such as compression, tension or bending, so the mechanical strength of the material directly affects its durability and service life.

Carbon steel and stainless steel are suitable for applications that need to withstand large external forces, such as heat pipe systems in industrial equipment due to their high mechanical strength.
Copper and aluminum have lower mechanical strength, but they still perform well in some lightweight and low-strength applications, such as household appliances.
4. Processing performance
The manufacturing process of heat pipes requires materials with good processing performance, especially in occasions with complex shapes or high requirements.

Copper and aluminum have good ductility and are easy to process into various shapes, which are suitable for manufacturing heat pipes with complex structures.
Although stainless steel and carbon steel have high strength, they are difficult to process, especially in the manufacture of complex structures, more advanced processes may be required.
5. Cost factors
Material selection also needs to consider cost, especially in mass production, material cost directly affects the market competitiveness of products.

Compared with copper and stainless steel, aluminum is relatively cheap and has better comprehensive performance, so it is often used in heat pipe products in the mid- and low-end markets.
Copper and stainless steel are more expensive and are suitable for occasions with higher performance requirements, but in some specific applications, their performance advantages can offset their high costs.