What is Thermal Paste
Thermal paste is a highly thermally conductive, insulating material that is non-toxic, odorless, and non-corrosive. It provides excellent thermal conductivity within a temperature range of -50°C to 200°C without solidifying or melting. It finds extensive applications across various fields, including automotive electronics, CPU, computers, controllers, power supplies, and printers.
Thermal paste serves as an indispensable heat dissipation material in electrical equipment, offering heat dissipation, moisture resistance, corrosion protection, and dust prevention. It prevents localized overheating that could cause poor performance or damage to equipment.
What are the Types of it?
Silicone-Based Thermal Grease
Silicone-based thermal grease is a traditional material, also known as thermal grease, that maintains its original paste consistency during prolonged use at temperatures exceeding 200°C. It exhibits excellent chemical stability and does not cause corrosion to equipment.
Non-silicone Thermal Grease
Silicone-free thermal compound delivers exceptional heat dissipation performance while maintaining high efficiency and eliminating silicone leakage during use. It is suitable for silicone-sensitive applications and maintains stable properties even on damp contact surfaces.
GALLOP INNOTEK manufactures both types of thermal grease, allowing you to select the appropriate option based on your specific application requirements.
How to Apply it Properly?
Before use, you should mix the thermal paste thoroughly. The next step is to inspect the component surfaces for cleanliness and wipe away any excess dirt or dust.
Taking the CPU as an example, after completing the above steps, you can apply the thermal paste to the base of the heat sink. During this process, wear gloves or cover your fingers with plastic wrap to minimize direct contact with the material. After application, you can wipe off any excess paste.
Next, you can use a small spatula or brush to apply the thermal paste in one direction, starting from one corner of the CPU. Then, it’s better to avoid applying it too thickly—a thin, even layer that covers the entire CPU surface is sufficient. Excessively thick paste can also hinder heat dissipation.
What you should be aware of is to take care not to smear it onto the surrounding areas or other parts of the device, as some thermal pastes containing metal particles may conduct electricity and cause damage to your equipment.
GALLOP INNOTEK operates specialized factories and equipment for the production of thermal paste. We welcome your inquiries.
What are the Applications of it?
Electronics Industry
Thermal paste is commonly used for heat dissipation in components such as CPU, GPU, mobile phones, and routers to maintain standard device functionality. Modules like electric vehicle control units also utilize thermal paste for heat conduction to ensure proper performance and personal safety during operation.
LED Lighting
It is also employed in thermal management for high-power LEDs to ensure consistent illumination and extended lifespan.
Thermal pastes manufactured by GALLOP INNOTEK will be further used in laser equipment, telecommunications, military hardware, and radar systems.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Thermal Paste
Thermal Conductivity
When selecting thermal management products, thermal conductivity is a critical consideration. Depending on the application components and field, you can choose products with different thermal conductivity values. For instance, high-power equipment is unsuitable for materials with low thermal conductivity; instead, it is recommended to select products with thermal conductivity above 5 W/m·K.
Durability
First, you need to buy products from reliable manufacturers to ensure quality compliance. During the selection process, you should also note the shelf life, which is typically around twelve months after opening for thermal grease, with a usable lifespan of two to three years.
Operating Temperature Range
Crucially, consider the thermal grease’s operating temperature range when selecting it. This indicates the temperature range within which it maintains its properties without drying out or melting.
GALLOP INNOTEK ‘s premium thermal grease operates reliably between -55°C and 220°C, ensuring stable thermal management for your equipment.
Thermal Paste Coverage & Quantity Planner
Estimate paste volume and mass from contact area, target bondline and production quantity.
Planning/reference estimate: Actual consumption changes with surface flatness, squeeze-out, stencil or dispense method, purge loss and verified bondline thickness.
Generally speaking, thermal paste is suitable for components with uneven surfaces or smaller gap. It effectively expels air to achieve higher thermal conductivity. It is particularly well-suited for high-precision products like CPU and graphics cards.
Thermal pads, on the other hand, are easier to install and are ideal for devices requiring frequent disassembly, such as power supplies and hard drives.
In summary, if you prioritize thermal performance, thermal paste is the better choice. However, if convenience and ease of use are your main concerns, thermal pads are more appropriate.
GALLOP INNOTEK manufactures both products, allowing you to select the most suitable option based on your requirements.
If you find your thermal paste drying out quickly during use and failing to provide adequate thermal conductivity, it’s highly likely you’ve chosen a product made with inferior materials.
Many manufacturers cut corners by using low-purity or volatile silicone oils. Over time, the continuous evaporation of these oils reduces the paste’s silicone content, causing it to dry out and harden. Additionally, poor-quality fillers or uneven mixing can destabilize the paste’s properties.
High-quality thermal paste incorporates antioxidants and stabilizers to extend shelf life—a step often skipped by substandard manufacturers. Therefore, it is advisable to select manufacturers with professional expertise and business credentials.
GALLOP INNOTEK possesses specialized production experience, dedicated to providing reliable products for your personal use or business needs.
Generally speaking, thermal paste doesn’t need frequent replacement. Only after more than three years of use or when your computer’s cooling performance deteriorates might the thermal paste on your CPU require replacement. Rest assured, this isn’t a complicated process. Simply remove the heat sink, wipe it clean with a sponge or cotton swab, and apply fresh thermal paste.
