Generally
speaking, in order to increase the thermal conductivity, customers tend to
choose thermally conductive interface materials with a high thermal
conductivity. This should be considered in terms of material properties,
application objects, usage methods, etc.
Material
properties
The two components
are different and there are differences in material properties. Different
thermally conductive materials are often chosen for specific applications (e.g.
vibration damping, insulation, etc.).
Thermal grease: electrical
insulation, high thermal conductivity, low oil separation (tends to 0), high
and low-temperature resistance, water resistance, ozone resistance, weather
resistance old, effective reduction of the interface thermal resistance and
other characteristics.
Thermal pad: thermal
conductivity, insulation, shock resistance, good temperature resistance, high
compression ratio, soft material and surface with micro-viscosity, easy to
operate.
Application
objects
Thermal grease: a paste-like
product with high thermal conductivity, which can effectively reduce the
thermal resistance of the contact between the heat source and the radiator.
Mainly used in CPU, transistor, thyristor, IGBT module, LED lamp and other
heating elements.
Thermal pad: thermal
interface material with a certain thickness, compressible, reboundable,
self-adhesive on both sides and highly compliant. Mainly used in ICs,
transformers, inductors, capacitors, PCB boards and other heat generating
components.
Usage
For different
applications, the use of thermally conductive materials will vary.
1. First clean the
surface of the component and heat sink and then mix the thermally conductive
silicone grease well.
2. Afterwards,
apply the silicone grease to the surface of the heat sink (or the metal substrate
of the component) by dabbing, brushing or silk-screening.
3. If screen
printing is used, it is recommended to use a 60-80 mesh nylon screen and a
rubber squeegee with a hardness of about 70, and to scrape the silicone grease
at about 45 degrees to the coated surface during the application.
4. At the end of
the operation, unused product should be stored in a sealed container.
1. Keep the surface of the
component clean and remove the protective film from one side first.
2. Apply the thermal pad to
the surface of the component, then remove the other side of the protective film
and press the heat sink (or housing) onto the thermal pad to fasten it.
Overall, thermal pad and
thermal grease have their own advantages and disadvantages.
When choosing between them, it
is necessary to take into account the target application, ease of operation,
and material characteristics to make the best choice.
