The Guide to Select the Best Thermal Pad for Your Application

Are you seeking the ideal thermal pad for your project? Actually, there is nothing perfect than the one that suits you best. In this article, I will teach you how to choose the most suitable thermal pad for your business.

1. Check the Thermal Conductivity

Generally speaking, the thermal conductivity of thermal pads is determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the type and content of added thermal fillers. However, assessing these factors is not straightforward. Here is the most intuitive parameter for evaluating the thermal performance: thermal conductivity.

The thermal conductivity is a vital factor that you cannot ignore. The unit of it is watts per meter-kelvin (W/m·K). And a higher number indicates a greater thermal conductivity. For better performance, you need to find a product with a good ability to dissipate heat.

GALLOP INNOTEK’s Advanced Thermal Pad products achieve thermal conductivity of up to 90 W/m·K, delivering optimal performance.

2. Define the Operating Temperature Range

Different products have distinct operating temperature ranges. Before making a selection, it is essential to define the specific application environment and operating temperature range clearly. For example, if your operating environment temperature is 160°C, then a thermal pad with an operating temperature range of -50°C to 150°C is clearly unsuitable for your needs.

However, you can rest assured that GALLOP INNOTEK ‘s thermal pads feature a wide operating temperature range. We offer a wide range of products, many of which can withstand temperatures of up to 200 degrees Celsius.

3. Specify the Usage Period

Generally speaking, GALLOP INNOTEK thermal pads have a standard shelf life of approximately 12 months. However, their actual service life depends on the applications and material durability. For instance, under identical conditions, thermal pads with superior elasticity and greater thickness can last longer.

In fact, different products exhibit varying shelf lives and durability. For short-term use, there’s no need for you to overspend on thermal pads with longer service lives. After all, discarding them before their shelf life or service life expires is a waste.

4. Determine the Thickness

Thickness is another parameter you should consider. Thinner thermal pads may offer better thermal conductivity but are unsuitable for larger gaps. Even so, stacking thermal pads is not recommended, as this is likely to produce counterproductive results.

Rest assured, GALLOP INNOTEK manufactures thermal pads in various thicknesses to meet almost all your requirements.

5. Material Specifications

• Silicone Thermal Pad

Silicone thermal pads represent a more traditional type and are the most commonly encountered thermal pads. Their manufacturing process involves adding thermally conductive powders, such as aluminum oxide, to silicone, followed by high-temperature vulcanization, which ultimately forms the soft and elastic thermal pad you see before you.

Silicone-based thermal pads remain widely used today despite the risk of silicone leakage. Their excellent thermal conductivity helps maintain the operation of high-power equipment, while their soft texture allows them to adapt to various surfaces.

• Silicone-Free Material

Non-silicone thermal pads are ideally suited for silicon-sensitive environments, as silicone oil leakage can damage electronic components and even render the entire devices inoperable. They are always made of acrylic or other resins. However, non-silicone thermal pads are not suitable for all applications.

They have a narrower operating temperature range and cannot withstand high-temperature environments well. Additionally, their flexibility and thermal conductivity are significantly inferior to silicone-based thermal pads. Therefore, careful selection remains necessary for specific applications.

GALLOP INNOTEK’s silicone-free thermal pads are designed to provide excellent thermal performance in environments sensitive to silicone.

• Indium Thermal Pad

Pure indium thermal pads represent a new generation of thermal interface materials, offering superior thermal conductivity and a broader operating temperature range compared to traditional materials, along with enhanced environmental adaptability. Moreover, they are safe and non-toxic, emitting no harmful substances.

GALLOP INNOTEK ‘s GTP-INS010 achieves a thermal conductivity of up to 86 W/m·K and operates reliably at temperatures as high as 500°C, making it suitable even for extreme environments. If your application demands such performance, this product is definitely worth considering.

• Graphite Thermal Pad

Graphite thermal pads are also a new type of material featuring high compressibility, enabling them to fill gaps between heat-dissipating components and heat sinks tightly. They exhibit excellent thermal conductivity in both planar and perpendicular directions. They are now widely used in 5G base stations, mobile phone batteries, and new energy vehicles as effective thermal interface materials.

Take GALLOP INNOTEK’s GTP-NA200 as an example; its thermal conductivity ranges from 300 to 500 W/m·K in the planar direction and reaches 28 W/m·K in the vertical direction. This multi-directional thermal performance undoubtedly enhances the efficiency of heat absorption and transfer.

• Carbon Fiber Thermal Pad

Carbon fiber thermal pads are another innovative thermal interface material that can simultaneously conduct heat and provide EMI shielding. They feature robust physical properties while remaining lightweight. The vertically aligned carbon fibers efficiently transport heat, enabling a thin profile that allows them to fill extremely confined spaces.

Today, carbon fiber thermal pads are widely used for thermal management in various industries, including industrial lighting, communications, and automotive engineering, among others.

GTP-CP160, GTP-CP200, and GTP-CP500, etc., represent GALLOP INNOTEK’s advanced series of carbon fiber thermal pads. Their thermal conductivity ranges from 16 to 50 W/m·K, and the thicknesses are not over 0.6mm. These lightweight, thin pads offer exceptional convenience for your applications.

6. Check the Hardness

Generally speaking, hardness determines how well a thermal pad conforms to a surface. Softer thermal pads can better adapt to irregular surfaces, thereby filling air gaps more effectively to achieve superior thermal conductivity.

7. Consider the Budget

Cost is also an essential factor to consider, as higher thermal conductivity and specialized materials, such as graphite, may increase expenses. If you’re looking for affordable yet high-performance products, GALLOP INNOTEK offers excellent options.

8. Find a Reliable Manufacturer

Of course, the most direct way to ensure the quality of the products you purchase is to find an experienced, professional, and reputable manufacturer. When selecting products, verify the seller’s business and production qualifications.

With over a decade of production experience, GALLOP INNOTEK possesses extensive expertise in the TIM field and is confident in providing you with satisfactory products.

Conclusion

Selecting the right thermal pad for your project is crucial, and we hope this article proves helpful. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact GALLOP INNOTEK. We are committed to manufacturing high-quality products for you.

FAQ:

How does a Thermal Pad Work?

A: In simple terms, thermal pads act as thermal conductive media between heat sources and heat sinks by filling gaps filled with poorly conductive air. This enables devices to dissipate heat more effectively, ensuring stable operation.

How to Know When to Change the Thermal Pad?

A: To determine when to replace thermal pads, regular inspections are essential. Generally, your checks should include examining the thermal pads for damage or loss of resilience. Additionally, you can assess their functionality by monitoring temperatures. If the temperature of the heating element and the heat sink differ significantly, it indicates poor heat dissipation from your thermal pad and recommends that you replace it in a timely manner before high temperatures damage your device.

If you have more questions about changing the thermal pad, GALLOP INNOTEK welcomes your inquiries at any time.

What are the Irreplaceable Advantages of Silicone Thermal Pad

A: Although silicone-based thermal pads have the drawback of silicone leakage during use, silicone-free thermal pads still cannot fully replace them in today’s applications.

Compared to silicone-free thermal pads, they offer superior thermal conductivity and elasticity. Additionally, their manufacturing process is less complex than that of silicone-free pads, and they operate within a broader temperature range, maintaining stable properties even at elevated temperatures. Consequently, silicone-based thermal pads continue to play a crucial role in applications that require high thermal conductivity.

Is a Thermal Pad Suitable for any Applications?

A: Actually, thermal pads are not a cure-all. They are not suitable for the following applications. For example, they cannot fill tiny gaps or uneven surfaces like thermal paste can. Moreover, in applications that require superior thermal conductivity, thermal paste will perform better.

As mentioned above, GALLOP INNOTEK possesses extensive expertise in manufacturing thermal interface materials. Should thermal pads prove unsuitable for your application, we also offer high-performance thermal grease to support your project.