Fabrication and testing of a leading-edge-shaped heat pipe

A leading edge shaped Mo-Re heat pipe was fabricated and tested. Several container and wick fabrication issues were resolved that arose due to the small 0.5-in leading edge radius. The heat pipe was tested in a vacuum chamber with induction heating. The heat pipe did start up as expected and operated as a heat pipe, however, not at design heat fluxes and temperatures. Though a testing anomaly caused premature failure of heat pipe, successful startup and operation of the heat pipe are key steps toward the development of heat pipes for cooling sharp leading edges.