Developed by Thermal Transfer Composites (TTC), the composites also have uses in new green technologies for mass transit and wind turbines, as well as hybrid and electric cars.

One of TTC’s clients, Lockheed Martin, uses the local company’s Primex composites for critical systems in its F-22 Raptor and F-35 Joint Strike fighter aircraft, according to Dr. Dan White, CEO and co-founder of TTC, one of the finalists for the Chamber’s Kruesi Award for Innovation this year.

TTC began providing thermal management solutions in 2004 through the manufacture of its metal matrix composite of aluminum alloys and silicon carbide ceramics, AlSiC. The company’s lead focus is thermal management products used in electrical power transfer systems. “This combination of ceramic and metal allows for the creation of a product that does not compromise on performance or design,” White says. “These composites can appear simply as flat base plates or customized parts varying in size, shape and complexity. Yet, their function in cooling electronic components is key to the performance and survival of the entire system.”

Thermal Transfer Composites is a direct descendent of Lanxide Electronic Components (LEC) of Delaware, whose AlSiC composites were used in the Toyota Prius and NASA deep space probes such as the Cassini satellite sent to Saturn. White and his partner Mark Schillinger purchased assets of LEC in 2003 and moved them to Chattanooga the following year as TTC.

Initially, TTC was unable to compete in commercial markets with their composites, White says. “We needed to improve the thermal performance and reduce production costs to be successful for high volume applications,” he explains. “Through careful examinations of key raw materials and the flow of the production process, TTC leapfrogged the competition and became the industry leader in both performance and cost.”

In fact, TTC increased thermal performance by 42 percent, pushed the traditional thermal conductivity barrier for AlSiC another 30 percent and reduced production cost by 30 percent. Improvements include innovative pressureless metal infiltration processes, which are unique in the industry, and the ability to alter the thermal expansion, thermal conductivity and stiffness of the product to suit the needs of the customer.

In order to stay ahead of the competition, TTC has developed two new product lines, Primecool Ultra™ and Primeflo Ultra™, each with even greater cooling capability. Although White says that TTC “is a small company and currently holds only a small share of the multi-billion dollar thermal management market, the company is well positioned for growth in the future.”