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  • Impact of Oil Bleed Rate on Thermal Silicone Pads
  • Impact of Oil Bleed Rate on Thermal Silicone Pads

    Date:2024-12-30 

    Over time, many phenomena once considered challenging to resolve have gradually been understood. In modern society, almost all electrical devices encounter heat generation issues. This phenomenon arises because when electrical energy is converted into other forms of energy, part of it is inevitably lost as heat. When we use computers, smartphones, or other appliances, this heat accumulation often leads to degraded device performance or even damage. Previously, people commonly installed heatsinks on heat sources to reduce temperatures, but the cooling efficiency of this method was typically poor. Further research revealed gaps between the heat source and the heatsink, filled with air, which is a poor conductor of heat. This prevents effective heat transfer to the heatsink. To improve heat dissipation, it became necessary to fill these gaps with thermal interface materials, leading to the development of such materials.

    Thermal silicone pads are a widely used type of thermal interface material. They are typically made from a silicone resin base, combined with high-temperature-resistant and thermally conductive materials, and are mainly used to fill gaps between heat sources and heatsinks. Thermal silicone pads feature high thermal conductivity, low interface thermal resistance, excellent insulation, and good compressibility. Due to their soft hardness, they can achieve low thermal resistance under minimal pressure, effectively displacing air from contact surfaces and fully filling rough contact areas to enhance heat transfer. Thanks to these properties, thermal silicone pads effectively transfer heat from the heat source to the casing while providing excellent compressibility and elasticity, serving as vibration dampers.

    When selecting thermal silicone pads, various parameters must be considered to determine whether they meet standards. Among these, the oil bleed rate is a critical parameter. Many people are concerned about the oil bleed rate of thermal silicone pads, but what exactly is it, and how does it affect performance?

    Oil bleeding in thermal silicone pads is a normal phenomenon. The manufacturing process typically involves mixing silicone oil with thermally conductive, heat-resistant, and insulating materials in specific proportions and processing them with specialized equipment. During this process, some free small molecules often remain uncombined with other substances. Under prolonged high-temperature or high-pressure conditions, these siloxane molecules gradually exude, leading to the oil bleed phenomenon.

    However, if the oil bleed rate of a thermal silicone pad is too high, the exuded siloxane molecules may adhere to the surface of the heatsink or heat source and even seep onto circuit boards. This can adversely affect the stability and reliability of the equipment. Therefore, controlling the oil bleed rate is an important standard for evaluating the performance of thermal silicone pads.

    How can the oil bleed rate of thermal silicone pads be tested? The typical method involves mounting the test samples in specialized fixtures and placing them in a high-temperature test chamber to simulate prolonged heating and pressurization in working conditions. After a set period of heating and pressurization, the samples are removed, and their surface oil bleed levels are measured to assess the oil bleed rate. Thermal silicone pads have specific oil bleed standards; those below the standard are considered qualified, while those above are deemed unqualified. Hence, consumers can request test reports from suppliers or conduct practical testing themselves to ensure the pads meet quality requirements.

    In summary, the oil bleed rate significantly impacts the performance and reliability of thermal silicone pads. A reasonable oil bleed rate helps maintain stable performance, while an excessive rate can pose risks to equipment reliability. Understanding and controlling the oil bleed rate is crucial for ensuring effective heat dissipation and the long-term stability of electronic products.
     
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