What is thermal interface material and its relationship with thermal resistance

First of all, the heat transmission methods are mainly heat conduction, heat convection, and heat radiation. The use of heat dissipation modules to conduct face-to-face contact heat dissipation to the heat source is in the form of heat conduction, but air is a poor conductor of heat, and heat will be lost when it is transferred. Due to the resistance given by the air, the heat conduction efficiency is reduced. Although the heat source is in close contact with the heat dissipation module, there is still a gap between the two.

In reality, two solid surfaces that are in contact with each other, the actual contact between the two is some discrete areas, and the other non-contact interfaces are filled with air, and the heat will be subjected to additional resistance when passing through. This is the explanation of the contact thermal resistance and why heat dissipation The efficiency of the module does not meet expectations in practice.

Then, according to the influence of contact thermal resistance on heat and the research on thermal conductive materials, a material specially designed for heat conduction of equipment - thermal interface material was developed. Thermal interface material can effectively reduce the contact thermal resistance between the heat source and the heat dissipation module, and improve both Contact area, thereby improving the heat dissipation effect. Thermal interface material is one of the general names of thermally conductive materials, and there are many types, such as thermally conductive silicone sheet, thermally conductive silicone cloth, thermally conductive phase change sheet, silicon-free thermally conductive pad, carbon fiber thermally conductive pad, thermally conductive Gel, thermal grease, etc., provide a good heat dissipation solution for people's heat dissipation needs.