Temperature grease is commonly a white or gray paste, widely used in home appliances, automobiles, industrial electrical equipment, and various manufacturing processes. Choosing reliable products and following proper application methods will ensure stable and excellent thermal conductivity and heat dissipation.
I. Why does thermal grease dry out?
Qualified thermal grease is a uniform paste that can be applied directly. It achieves efficient heat conduction by filling gaps in the contact surface and expelling air. Once the grease dries and cracks, air enters the gaps. Air has extremely poor thermal conductivity, directly leading to a decrease in overall heat dissipation efficiency.
II. Does dried thermal grease still have thermal conductivity?
Dried grease can be categorized into two situations with significantly different performance characteristics:
1. Only slight surface drying: The internal paste remains intact, basically not affecting normal thermal conductivity, and it can continue to be used. High-quality brand products offer greater stability. For example, TENSAN, a company specializing in thermal conductive materials, provides customized thermal solutions. Its products are suitable for various fields including new energy, military, medical, aerospace, shipbuilding, electronics, and rail transportation, and are characterized by their resistance to drying and long-lasting, stable thermal conductivity.
2. Overall drying and cracking: Thermal conductivity will significantly decrease, and severe cracking can even lead to complete loss of heat dissipation. Therefore, choosing high-quality thermal grease is crucial for ensuring stable equipment operation.
III. Can dried thermal grease be diluted and reused?
The core reason for dried grease is the evaporation of internal silicone oil, resulting in oil separation and stratification. Forcibly adding silicone oil or methyl silicone oil for dilution and reuse is not only cumbersome but also carries risks.
If the drying is only slight and the thermal conductivity is unaffected, no additional treatment is needed. However, if performance degradation, cracking, or failure occurs, the safest approach is to thoroughly clean the old grease and reapply new grease.
Thermal grease is an indispensable basic material in the heat dissipation systems of electronic appliances; any equipment with heat dissipation requirements relies on its application.
