Thermal Pads are used to conduct heat away from a component such as a CPU or another chip. They are usually placed between the heat-generating component and a heat sink. They also act as an electrically insulating material to prevent short circuits.
The thickness of a thermal pad is important to its effectiveness of the pad. Thinner pads usually provide better thermal conductivity than thicker ones, so it is best to use a thin material for optimal performance.
If the pad is too thick, it will not make good contact with the surfaces it should be on and may cause damage to the component. It is recommended to use a pad with a minimum thickness of 0.5 mm, depending on the surface area of the component.
A thin thermal pad is also easier to apply than a thick one. Its sticky backing makes it easy to put on a component, but it needs to be applied with precise precision and not to any other surfaces.
Unlike thermal paste, which comes in liquid form, a thermal pad is a preformed square or rectangle of solid material that can be die-cut into specific sizes. It then adheres to the underside of a heat sink with a thermal adhesive.
Thermal pads are typically made from a variety of materials, including silicone-based, paraffin wax, and specialty waxes. Some materials have a coated fabric surface on one side for better durability and tear resistance.
They are designed for a wide range of applications, including medical devices, industrial controls, and military equipment. Naikos application engineers work with customers to select the proper material for their design and manufacturing requirements.
The best thermal interface materials are a combination of thickness, thermal conductivity, and dielectric strength. Some are reinforced with fiberglass or cloth for increased tear resistance.
Graphite is an excellent choice for designs that require thin, highly conductive thermal interface materials that are a bit less flexible than a silicone-based pad but offer more mechanical strength and better thermal conductivity. They are a great option for demanding performance applications that need to dissipate large amounts of heat.
Other materials such as green conducting silicone rubber, thermal tapes, and high-temperature silicone foam are also available from Naikos. These materials are designed to help manage and transfer heat in various applications, such as printing, LED lighting, and motors.
They are a popular replacement for thermal greases or thermal pastes because they are softer, and thinner and can be made into sheets that Naikos cuts to customer specifications. They can be used to replace messy thermal greases or cumbersome thermal pastes.
They are also a popular replacement for aluminized steel because they are durable and do not rust. They are available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and thicknesses, and are a great alternative to metals for many applications. They are also a cost-effective solution for replacing thermal pastes.
