Kish-derived graphitic heat spreaders and foils

Abstract

A method of producing low cost high thermal conductivity graphitic foils includes the steps of providing a plurality of partially purified waste flakes formed during iron smelting, and compacting the plurality of waste flakes into a flexible foil material. A thermally conductive foil includes a plurality of partially purified pressed waste flakes derived from iron smelting, the foil having trace impurities characteristic of formation during iron smelting.

1 . A method of producing low cost high thermal conductivity graphitic foils, comprising the step of: 
 providing a plurality of partially purified waste flakes formed during iron smelting, and    compacting said plurality of waste flakes into a flexible foil material.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said compacting step comprises pressing said plurality of flakes into a foil, wherein no binder material is added before said pressing step.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said pressing step comprises pressing said plurality of flakes in a mold die coated with a mold release film.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said plurality of waste flakes are pressed without a prior exfoliation step.  
   
   
       5 . A thermally conductive foil, comprising: 
 a foil comprising a plurality of partially purified pressed waste flakes derived from iron smelting, said foil having trace impurities characteristic of formation during iron smelting.    
   
   
       6 . The foil of  claim 5 , wherein said foil is exclusive of any added binder material.  
   
   
       7 . The foil of  claim 5 , wherein said foil provides an in-plane thermal conductivity at 25 °C. of between 75 and 250 W/m·K.  
   
   
       8 . The foil of  claim 5 , wherein said foil provides an in-plane thermal conductivity at 25 °C. of between 150 and 250 W/m·K.