Thermal Interface Material
Achieving effective thermal management in electronic devices can be difficult. As components get smaller and more complex, they generate more heat and require tighter connections to the metal housing that encloses them. When this contact is poor, the performance of the device suffers. That is why thermal interface material (TIM) is an important technology for electronic engineers to understand and utilize.
Effective TIMs change the thermal path between rough-surfaced solids from conduction through point contacts and air to conduction entirely through the TIM itself. As such, a TIM can reduce the overall thermal resistance of an assembly by as much as a factor of five.
TIMs come in different forms and materials to fit the needs of an application. They are available in paste and liquid form as well as tapes and solder pads. They can also be dispensed or printed. The material used to dispense or print is also important as it determines how easily the TIM can be handled, and how stable it will be with handling and vibration.
The most popular TIMs are silicone-based and are offered in a wide range of thermal conductivity levels and price points. They are often packaged in syringes or tubes to allow for easy dispensing, or they can be dispensed using a dispensing robot (Compelma provides this service).
Gels are another TIM option with a higher level of thermal conductivity and a lower viscosity. They are cured to a partially cross-linked structure that helps reduce pump-out issues. Immersion cooling is a special use for TIMs. The TIM is placed between the component and a coolant such as water or oil. This method of thermal management can be very cost-effective as the TIM can be recycled. Thermal Interface Material