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  • Application and Selection of Silicone-Free Thermal Pads in Medical Equipment

    Date:2025-02-10 

    Thermal management in medical equipment directly affects device stability, data accuracy, and service life. Silicone-free thermal pads, as high-performance thermal interface materials, have become the ideal choice for medical applications such as imaging devices, in-vitro diagnostic instruments, and life support systems due to their characteristics of zero silicone oil migration, low volatility, and high thermal stability. Compared to traditional silicone-based thermal pads, silicone-free thermal pads effectively prevent silicone oil migration from contaminating optical components or circuit boards, improving long-term reliability, especially in high-precision and high-stability medical electronic devices.

    In medical imaging equipment such as CT, MRI, and ultrasound devices, the core image processing units (GPU/FPGA) and high-frequency circuit modules generate significant heat. Since medical imaging systems require long-term high-precision operation, thermal pads must meet the demands of high thermal conductivity, high-temperature resistance, and low volatility. Sheen New Materials’ silicone-free thermal pads typically have a thermal conductivity of around 8.0 W/m·K, making them suitable for medium-power heat dissipation needs. Additionally, their low hardness design (typically Shore 00 50-70) ensures close contact between the chip and the heat sink, enhancing thermal transfer efficiency. These thermal pads are available in thicknesses ranging from 0.5mm to 5.0mm, with thinner pads suitable for high-flatness contact surfaces and thicker ones for filling larger gaps to accommodate different equipment structures.

    In-vitro diagnostic equipment (IVD), such as PCR analyzers and blood analyzers, require extremely high temperature control precision, as the uniformity of heat conduction directly impacts test accuracy. Silicone-free thermal pads can stably transfer heat, ensuring that heating/cooling modules maintain consistent temperature changes and improve detection accuracy. For such applications, dielectric strength is another key parameter alongside thermal conductivity. Typically, products with dielectric strength exceeding 10 kV/mm are selected to prevent leakage risks in high-voltage circuits. Additionally, to maintain a clean testing environment, these thermal pads should have minimal volatile content, with total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) kept below 0.1%.

    In life support equipment such as ventilators, ECG monitors, and infusion pumps, continuous operation is required, causing electronic components to remain at high temperatures for extended periods. Poor heat dissipation may lead to performance degradation or even device failure. Silicone-free thermal pads offer stable thermal conductivity and excellent temperature resistance, typically operating within a range of -40°C to 150°C, ensuring stable performance even in extreme conditions. Since these devices often use portable power sources, the specific gravity of the thermal pad is also a key selection factor. Generally, silicone-free thermal pads with a density of 1.5-3.0 g/cm³ can achieve effective heat dissipation without significantly increasing the device's weight.

    Surgical equipment and medical robots, integral to modern healthcare, often integrate high-precision cameras, motor drivers, and complex electronic control systems, demanding stricter thermal management. In these devices, silicone-free thermal pads are used not only for chip heat dissipation but also for optical component temperature management to mitigate the impact of thermal expansion on imaging systems. To ensure the transmittance of cameras and laser sensors, selected thermal pads should have ultra-low volatility and pass low molecular silicone testing (such as GC-MS analysis) to confirm the absence of silicone oil exudation. Additionally, the compression rebound rate of thermal pads is a crucial consideration, generally requiring ≥80% to maintain stable contact pressure over long-term use and ensure consistent heat dissipation performance.

    During the selection process of silicone-free thermal pads, besides basic parameters such as thermal conductivity, thickness, and hardness, factors like aging resistance, moisture resistance, electrical insulation, and long-term stability must also be considered. For example, in high-humidity environments (such as high-pressure sterilization conditions), thermal pads should have a low water absorption rate (<0.5%) to ensure thermal performance is not affected by humidity fluctuations. Furthermore, for medical-grade applications, materials must comply with RoHS, REACH, and ISO 10993 biocompatibility certifications to ensure their safety in medical equipment.
    Overall, the value of silicone-free thermal pads in medical equipment lies not only in their excellent thermal performance but also in their long-term stability, low contamination properties, and broad adaptability, making them a core material for medical electronic thermal management solutions. Selecting the appropriate thermal pads for different applications can effectively enhance heat dissipation efficiency while ensuring the safety and reliability of medical devices during prolonged operation.
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