When it comes to choosing a thermal pad manufacturer, at times, it may be difficult to decide on the right supplier. As a matter of fact, every thermal manufacturer has its own strengths and weaknesses.
Today, we will focus on the leading thermal pad manufacturers in the global market: Honeywell and Gallop. Let’s find out what each company offers:
Honeywell vs Gallop: Quick Comparison
| Key Factors to Consider | Honeywell | Gallop |
| Country of origin | · American | · Chinese |
| Company positioning | · Advanced materials and technology company | · Thermal interface material (TIM) and EMC manufacturer |
| Thermal pads offering | · TGP thermal gap pads with varying performance grades | · Standard and custom thermal pads including silicone-free thermal pads, graphene thermal pads, and graphite thermal pads, among other custom options |
| Thermal conductivity | · Most TGP range from 1.2 to 12 W/m.K | · Offers multiple conductivity levels depending on specific performance requirements |
| Custom shapes | · High-compressibility options designed for low-stress configurations, with varying thickness and product-specific configurations · Available through Honeywell commercial structure | · 100% custom designs from multiple hardness, compression options, thicknesses, and dimensions available. · OEM services and pre-assembly |
| Production volume | · Global-scale manufacturing and distribution | · Small-batch through high-volume manufacturing |
| Suitable for | · Buyers looking for established Honeywell TIM products and specifications | · Buyers looking for custom thermal pads, application-specific development and direct manufacturing support |
Gallop Innotek Thermal Pads vs. Honeywell Thermal Pads
Before choosing any thermal pad manufacturer, it is important that you outline your specific application requirements. From thermal pad material and dimensions to performance, they must guarantee optimal thermal management.
· Thermal Conductivity
When it comes to thermal conductivity, both Gallop and Honeywell offer many options. Remember, it is the thermal conductivity that determines how effectively heat is transferred through the material.
For Honeywell, you will get a range of the TGP portfolio that covers different conductivity levels. The same applies to Gallop that also offers thermal interface materials customized to specific applications.
However, there is a mistake most system designers make – focusing on the number.
It is important to focus on achieving optimal heat transfer at the actual thermal interface and operating load. Always choose conductivity over
· Thermal Pad Resistance
Both Honeywell thermal pads and Gallop Innotek thermal pads offer materials with unique thermal pad resistance. Therefore, whether you decide to buy thermal pads from Gallop or Honeywell, you must not evaluate thermal conductivity in isolation.
Remember, even when you invest in a highly conductive thermal pad, it can still underperform when the key consideration is thickness.
From our research and comparison, both companies offer diverse options you can consider.
· Hardness and Compressibility
Both Honeywell and Gallop offer a wide range of custom thermal pads in terms of hardness and compressibility. Remember, thermal pad hardness determines how readily the thermal interface material deforms under pressure during assembly.
Compressibility determines how well the thermal pad will fit irregular surfaces with microscopic mating surfaces.
From the thermal pads we have evaluated so far, both companies offer a range of options for your unique application requirements.
· Thickness and Tolerance
A thermal pad that is too thin may not adequately fill the interface, while one that is too thick can increase thermal resistance that will undermine performance.
According to the documents available for Honeywell and Gallop custom thermal pads, the companies emphasize strict dimensional tolerance and accuracy.
Now, whether you choose Honeywell thermal pads or Gallop thermal pads, it is critical to specify:
- Required electrical insulation
- Required thermal thickness
- Acceptable thickness and tolerance
- Required thermal conductivity
- Compression range
- Interface gap
- Operating temperature
Which Manufacturer Fits Your Thermal Requirements
At times, deciding which custom thermal pad manufacturer to partner with can be an overwhelming decision to make. As a matter of fact, these two companies share many attributes as far as thermal pad manufacturing specifications are concerned.
If your project or clients require an established thermal pad manufacturer who has been in the industry for a long time, then choose Honeywell. Remember, there are instances where the priority of a client is an established brand.
It is important to note thatHoneywell actually spun off its advanced materials division to focus on its thermal pad materials. At the moment, these pads are made by Solstice Advanced Materials.
However, this does not mean there are no new companies that make equally good thermal pads. One such manufacturer is Gallop Innotek. Gallop is popular for its OEM manufacturing, where they offer 100% custom OEM thermal pads.
FAQs
What are the main thermal pads by Honeywell?
Honeywell is popular for its PTM7950, which is a super highly thermally conductive phase change material (PCM). It is widely used by top brands like Lenovo, Dell, and NVIDIA due to its high performance.
Which thermal pads does Gallop make?
Gallop has diversified into a wide range of thermal interface materials. Among the company’s main products are graphite thermal pads, silicone-free thermal pads, soft thermal pad, ultra-soft thermal pads, graphene thermal pads, and carbon fiber thermal pads.
Can you buy thermal pads from Honeywell and Gallop directly?
Solstice or Honeywell only sells in bulk to B2B enterprises like Lenovo and Nvidia. On the other hand, Gallop sells its thermal pads directly from their factory in China. It offers flexible MOQs to support even small businesses in the electronics industry.
How long does it take to customize thermal pads?
Usually, the bulk of the task is in material development and tooling design. Most thermal pad manufacturers like Gallop are known to have a large inventory designed to reduce the lead time.
What is the average MOQ for both Honeywell and Gallop for thermal pads?
The fact that Honeywell targets large B2B customers clearly hints at a company whose MOQ is relatively high. This is unlike Gallop that supports small businesses with flexible MOQs.
How do you test the quality of thermal pads?
The thermal pads must pass thermal conductivity tests according to ASTM D5470, thermal resistance, and hardness according to the Shore scale. Other variables to measure include thickness, tear strength, dielectric breakdown, volume resistivity, and outgassing.
A good company should provide all the test reports, which should accompany their products.
Final Thoughts
The right decision is not simply whether to choose Honeywell or Gallop Innotek. It requires a careful evaluation of the specific needs of your application. You must evaluate your project requirements, then partner with a manufacturer you can trust.
As your leading thermal pad manufacturer in China, Gallop offers diverse solutions in the thermal management industry. For custom thermal pad designs, we are your trusted partner – Get a custom quote now.
