What are the types of electronic thermal conductive materials and their product characteristics

Why do we need thermal interface materials

1. There are extremely fine uneven gaps between the surface of microelectronic materials and the heat sink. If they are directly installed together, the actual contact area between them is only 10% of the base area of the heat sink, and the rest are air gaps. Because the thermal conductivity of air is only 0.024W/(m · K), it is a poor conductor of heat, which will result in a very large contact thermal resistance between electronic components and the heat sink, seriously hindering the conduction of heat and ultimately causing low efficiency of the heat sink.

2. Filling these gaps with thermal interface materials with high thermal conductivity, removing air from them, and establishing effective thermal conduction channels between electronic components and heat sinks can significantly reduce contact thermal resistance, allowing the heat sink to fully function.

Characteristics that an ideal thermal interface material should possess

(1) High thermal conductivity

(2) High flexibility and toughness ensure that the thermal interface material can fully fill the gaps on the contact surface under lower installation pressure conditions, ensuring that the contact thermal resistance between the thermal interface material and the contact surface is very small;

(3) Insulation properties;

(4) Easy to install and detachable;

(5) Widely applicable, it can be used to fill small gaps as well as large gaps.

Types of Thermal Conductive Materials

1THERMAL GREASE

Thermal conductive silicone grease is mainly made of organic silicone as the main raw material, and materials with excellent heat resistance and thermal conductivity are added to form a thermal conductive organic silicone grease composite. It is used for thermal conductivity and heat dissipation of electronic components such as power amplifiers, transistors, electronic tubes, CPUs, etc., to ensure the stability of electrical performance of electronic instruments, meters, etc. But the operation is not very convenient. Generally, thermal paste will have silicone oil precipitation, which will dry over time. It is not recommended to use thermal paste for products with long service life.

2Thermal conductive filler (thermal conductive adhesive)

It can also be used as a thermal conductive adhesive, which not only has the effect of thermal conductivity, but also is an excellent material for bonding, sealing and sealing. By filling the contact surface or can shaped body, the heat of the heating component is conducted.

3. Thermal Conductive Tape (Thermal Conductive Double sided Tape)

Widely used in the bonding between power devices and heat sinks, it can simultaneously achieve thermal conductivity, insulation, and fixation functions, effectively reducing the volume of equipment, and is a favorable choice for reducing equipment costs.

4Thermal conductive insulation elastic silicone (thermal conductive silicone sheet)

It has good thermal conductivity and high pressure resistance, meeting the current demand for thermal conductive materials in the electronics industry. It is the best product to replace the binary heat dissipation system of silicone grease thermal paste and mica sheet. This type of product is easy to install, conducive to automated production and product maintenance, and is a highly technical and practical thermal conductive material.

5. Thermal insulation sealant (organic silicon thermal insulation sealant)

Thermal insulation potting adhesive is suitable for potting electronic components that require high heat dissipation. After curing, the adhesive has good thermal conductivity, excellent insulation, excellent electrical performance, good adhesion, and good surface gloss.

6. Thermal conductive graphite sheet

The crystallization of special processes and advanced technologies, extraordinary thermal conductivity, and low resistance are materials used in special occasions. Their thermal conductivity and the flexibility of the material itself fit well with the heat dissipation and installation requirements of power devices. High thermal conductivity, thin material, high cost-effectiveness, and super strong longitudinal thermal conductivity, which can quickly eliminate hot spots. However, it should be noted that thermal conductive graphite sheets are non insulating, the material is relatively brittle, and there is significant loss during punching.

7. Phase change thermal insulation material (thermal phase change interface material)

By utilizing the characteristics of the substrate, phase transition occurs at the working temperature, making the material more closely adhere to the contact surface and achieving ultra-low thermal resistance for more thorough heat transfer. It is a reliable choice for important components such as CPUs and module power supplies.