Introduction to the characteristics and use of thermal pads

The thermally conductive gasket is a thermally conductive medium that fills the air gap between the heating element of the electronic product and the heat sink or metal shell. The flexibility and elasticity of the thermally conductive gasket enable it to be used to cover very uneven surfaces. The heat is conducted from the entire PCB to the metal shell or diffuser plate, thereby improving the efficiency and service life of the heating electronic components.

In the use of thermally conductive gaskets, pressure and temperature are mutually restricted. As the temperature rises, after a period of operation of the equipment, the thermally conductive gasket material will experience softening, creep, stress relaxation, and mechanical strength. Decrease, the pressure of the seal decreases.

Characteristics of thermal pad

1. The material is softer, the compression performance is good, the thermal insulation performance is good, the adjustable range of the thickness is relatively large, suitable for filling the cavity, the two sides have natural viscosity, and the operability and maintenance are strong;

2. The main purpose of selecting the thermal pad is to reduce the contact thermal resistance between the surface of the heat source and the contact surface of the heat sink. The thermal pad can fill the gap of the contact surface well;

3. Since air is a poor conductor of heat, it will seriously hinder the transfer of heat between the contact surfaces, and installing a thermal pad between the heat source and the radiator can squeeze the air out of the contact surface;

4. With the supplement of the thermal pad, the contact surface between the heating source and the radiator can be fully contacted, and the face-to-face contact can be achieved, and the temperature response can reach the smallest possible temperature difference;

5. The thermal conductivity of the thermal pad is adjustable, and the thermal conductivity is more stable;

6. The process gap of the thermal pad in the structure is bridged, and the process gap requirements of the radiator and the heat dissipation structure are reduced;

7. Thermally conductive gaskets have insulating properties (this feature requires appropriate materials to be added in the production);

8. The thermal pad has the effect of shock absorption and sound absorption;

9. The thermal pad has the convenience of installation, testing and reusability.

How to use thermal pad

1. Keep the surface of the thermal pad clean to prevent the thermal pad from sticking to dirt. The self-adhesive and sealing thermal conductivity of the dirty thermal pad will deteriorate;

2. When holding the thermal pad, the thermal pad with a large area should be grabbed from the center, and the small area is not required to grab the sheet, because the uneven force of the large thermal pad will cause deformation and affect the follow-up Operation, even damage the thermal pad;

3. Take the sheet with your left hand and tear off one side of the release protective film with your right hand. The protective films on both sides cannot be removed at the same time to reduce the number and area of direct contact with the thermal pad;

4. Tear off the side of the protective film, facing the radiator, first align the thermal pad with the radiator; when slowly lowering the thermal pad, be careful to avoid air bubbles;

5. If bubbles are generated during operation, you can pull up one end of the thermal pad and repeat the above steps, or use a tool to gently wipe the bubbles, but the force is not too strong;

6. Tear off the other side of the protective film, put it in the radiator, and remove the last side of the protective film with a small force to avoid straining or pulling up the thermal pad;

7. After tightening or using a strong adhesive thermal pad, apply a certain pressure to the radiator and store it for a period of time to ensure that the thermal pad is fixed.

Of course, the correct selection of thermal pads is the key to ensuring high heat dissipation of the equipment. For the same product, there are generally multiple specifications of thermal conductivity thermal pads to choose from. When choosing a thermal pad solution, you must select the thermal pad reasonably according to its physical properties, pressure, temperature, equipment size, operating conditions, and the length of the continuous operation period, etc., and make full use of the advantages of the thermal pad.