Thermal Pads Blog
Thermal Pad vs. Thermal Grease/Mica
One common question I hear engineers ask about is if it's better to have Mica/Grease or Sil-Pad products. Obviously, I’m partial to this, but I wanted to give some thoughts I had about Mica/Grease, and why I think it has its place, but why I think in a manufacturing...
TFLEX 600 | High-Compliance Thermal Pads | Low-Stress
NEDC manufactures thermal pads for many different customers. The thing I love about thermal pads, there is so many of them. Each one has different properties, and has its own fit for applications. Properties of TFLEX 600 Thermal Pad TFLEX 600 is a boron nitride...
Engineering Note: Hole Diameters: How low can you go?
At NEDC, cutting gaskets is what we do. Gaskets typically have holes in them to provide room for screws or bolts to go through them in order to provide pressure, and then for that reason, also to provide compression for the gasket to seat/seal properly. How small is...
Liners for Die-Cutting – Why is there Thick, or Thin Liners?
NEDC is an authorized converter for 3M company. For that reason, we often get questions from customers about the adhesive tape products we offer. Customers often ask, what is the difference between this tape, and this tape? The reason customers ask this question, is a...
Tips/Tricks to Avoid Supply Chain Disruptions | Custom Die-Cutters
In this supply chain taxed environment, I thought I’d write a blog about how to keep your supply chain moving at the maximum speed possible- whatever that may be nowadays. In this blog, we will provide some tips, and tricks to keep your supply chain moving....
Why so many Gap Pads/Thermal Pads? Some Thoughts
I often get the question, “Why are there so many thermal pads?” In addition, I always joke there are so many types of thermal pads, that they are sort of like ice cream flavors. There is a type of ice cream for everybody. Some Thoughts I had on "Why so Many Gap...
Supported Thermal Pads | Why are they Supported?
I have made it obvious that we manufacture thermal pads at NEDC. I practically mention it in every single blog. Why are Thermal Pads Supported? Thermal Pads are supported because they are essentially made of putty. It's important to distinguish there are about four...
Developments/Challenges at NEDC in 2022
At NEDC, we closed a strong 2022. However, it was not all sunshine, and rainbows. It was quite the opposite. We faced a number of challenges. There weren't only bad things, there was a few silver linings as well. Challenges/New Developments at NEDC in 2022 ...
Aluminum Foil Tape | 3M Adhesive Backed Aluminum | Die-Cut
At NEDC, we offer all sorts of solutions, gaskets, absorbers, thermal pads, epoxy films.. It goes on, and on. Tape is one of our most prevalent solutions because, after all, we are a 3M converter. Didn't we already talk about Aluminum Foil Tapes? A while ago, we wrote...
Cooking an Egg Through a Thermal Pad | How they Work
At NEDC, we cut thermal pads like it's our job- cause guess what.. It is. Oftentimes, when we are talking to customers- they may not know exactly how thermal pads work because it may not be obvious what a good insulator air is in an application. A few weeks ago, right...
VHB GPH Tape | Powder Coated/Liquid Painting | Die-Cut Tape
NEDC is a major supplier of 3M VHB Tape. There are VHB Tapes for all sorts of applications. However, it is well known in the industry that sticking things to powder coat, and liquid painted surfaces can be very tricky. Considering this, 3M Company has come up with a...
Sil-Pad A2000 aka SIL PAD TSP A3000 | Custom Die-Cut Thermal Pads
At NEDC, we die-cut a lot of thermal interface materials (TIMs). Cost is always a concern when customers are selecting thermal pads. When selecting an .015’’-.020’’ thin thermal pad, Sil-Pad A2000 is a good choice. Why Select Thermal Interface Pad Sil-Pad A2000? I’m...
Thermal Pad Sample Kit 2.0 | Sil-Pad & Gap Pad in One Kit
During COVID, NEDC released a Thermal Pad Sample Kit. It had a number of Gap Pads on it. We decided to re-release it- new. and improved. Why Thermal Pad Sample Kit 2.0? This time it has a combination of Sil-Pad and Gap Pad on the Thermal Pad Sample Kit. It has...
3M Thermal Interface Pads | Silicone – Acrylic | Die-Cut Thermal Pads
At NEDC, we cut thermal pads on a frequent basis. Customers come all the time, asking for a thermal interface pad for their special electronic, phone this, defense system that. With all of these commercial electronics, and military applications, you need a reliable,...
PORON® Condux Plus™ | Custom Waterjet Cutting/Die Cutting Shapes
At NEDC, we cut a lot of conductive foam for customers. One of the conductive foams that we have a lot of success with is PORON® Condux Plus™. There are many reasons for this, but the below are a highlighted few I thought I’d share. Uses for PORON® Condux Plus™...
Battery Cushion Pads | Soft Custom Pads | Foam, Sponge | Custom-Cut
At NEDC, we manufacture a lot of products. Battery Cushion Pads are a common product we make. Customers who are making a modular electronic, oftentimes have a battery that also requires cushioning, or thermal cooling. What are Battery Cushion Pads Used for? Battery...
Gap Pad 3000S30 aka GAP PAD TGP 3000 | Custom Thermal Pad
Thermal Pads are one of our most common products. Customers call all the time asking for recommendations on Gap Pad, or how to choose Gap pad products. There are a few products that I enjoy recommending. One of them is Thermal Pad Gap Pad 3000S30. Why Gap Pad 3000S30...
Q-Pad 3 aka SIL PAD TSP Q2000 | Thermal Grease Replacement
At NEDC, thermal pads are our specialty. However, oftentimes customers are looking for a thermal pad that is a grease replacement, that isn’t damaged by reflow solder baths. To be honest, Q-Pad 3 is a unique product for this reason. Q-Pad 3 is a fiberglass reinforced...
ESD Gaskets | Neoprene/Silicone Gaskets, Pads | Custom Die-Cut
At NEDC, we manufacture gaskets, and custom pads. One of the more interesting materials offer is electrostatic dissipative(ESD) gasketing. Out of those materials we manufacture ESD Gaskets. What is ElectroStatic Dissipative Gasketing? It might be a good idea to start...
Sil-Pad 980 aka SIL PAD TSP 1680 | Custom Die-Cut Shapes
At NEDC, we cut a whole bunch of different types of thermal pad gap filling materials. Sil-Pad 980 has a unique application list where it's used. Properties of SIL PAD TSP 1680, aka Sil-Pad 980 SIL PAD TSP 1680 has great cut-through resistance. It is silicone-based...
High Dielectric & Cut-Through Strength Thermal Pads | Polyimide Reinforced Thermal Pad
At NEDC, we cut a number of thermal pads. Through all the thermal pads we sell- we see a large amount of diversity in their make-up. Most thinner thermal pads utilize fiberglass reinforcement. However, there is an alternative such as polyimide that offers great...
UL Ratings Available | Gaskets, Absorbers, Thermal Pads, Insulators
NEDC cuts a lot of materials for different customers. One thing we wanted to assemble was every material we deal with that had a UL Rating, or UL approved materials. We've categorized this into materials generally used for gasketing, absorbers, thermal pads,...
GAP PAD TGP HC5000 Color Change | Violet to Natural Gray
6 years ago(I can’t believe that was 6 years ago), I wrote a blog introducing Gap Pad HC5.0, you can find that blog here. Anyways, I remember taking a picture on the day I wrote that blog, and telling everyone I was wearing violet button up shirt(the color of HC5.0)...
Thermal Pad Comparisons for Substitutes | TGP 3000/TGP 5000
As the supply chain issues have taking a toll on the whole world, there is a lot of discussion around finding alternatives for some materials. Since NEDC supplies thermal pads, I wanted to point out a few materials that can be reviewed for similarities when trying to...
3M 200MP Tape Series | Double Coated/Transfer/Double Linered | Die-Cut/Laser-Cut
It is not often you hear someone say they have a “favorite tape”. However as an authorized 3M converter, I’m not afraid to say it- I love 200MP by 3M. 3M 200MP is an adhesive that is coated onto a number of carriers, and liners that yield a number of different tape...
Sil-Pad Die-Cut Configurations | SIL PAD TSP
At NEDC, we cut a lot of custom parts. However, it is much more common to cut parts that are made to a specification or standard. In our M83528/004XDDD post, we talked about Standard Connector Gaskets. In this blog post, we talk about Standard Sil-Pad Configurations....
Sil- Pad 800 AKA SIL PAD TSP 1600 | Die-Cutting
Sil-Pad 800 is a thermally conductive pad that belongs to the Sil-Pad family. It is a thermally conductive silicone rubber that is reinforced with a fiberglass carrier. It is electrically isolating while also having a compliant surface conducive to use in both high,...
Sil-Pad 400 AKA SIL PAD TSP 900 | Die-Cutting
When we are talking about Sil-Pad products, one of my favorites is Sil-Pad 400. Sil-Pad 400 is also known as SIL PAD TSP 900 now. It sounds weird to say, but the refined feeling of the gray silicone pressed into the fabric produces a uniform feeling across the pad...
GAP PAD 1500 aka GAP PAD TGP 1500 | High-Compliance Pad | Die-Cutting
At NEDC, Gap Pads/Thermal Pads are a core product. One uncommon type of material in the thermal pad world is an unreinforced pad. Normally, thermal pads are reinforced to aid with handling. It is unusual for a thermal pad to have enough continuity to be easy to handle...
GAP PAD TGP HC3000 aka Gap Pad HC3.0, Die-Cut, Custom Cut Shapes
Whenever a customer comes to me looking for a middle of the road option available in today's world, that is: -Soft & Compliant -Low Outgassing -Available in many thickness options(ranging from .010'' to .125'' in thickness) -Economical, yet good thermal...
All of the information presented above is believed to be factual and accurate; however, NEDC is not liable for any design or application utilizing this information.
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Die-Cutting vs Laser Cutting, Epoxy Preforms: Part 2
I had a customer call the other day, saying he heard that laser cutting was better than die-cutting for frozen epoxy preforms. Heres the thought I had in my head “Why does this keep coming up!?” Heres my thought, and then I’m going dive into every advantage, and...
Super-Soft Silicone Rubber Gaskets | Tight-Tolerance/High-Temperature
At NEDC, Custom Silicone Rubber Gaskets are a common product we sell. Included in that category are the Super-Soft Silicone Rubber Gaskets that are available. When I think soft gaskets, typically below 40A durometer would be considered soft. However, when I think of...
Double Coated Tape 3M 9731- Acrylic/Silicone
We are an authorized 3M Converter at NEDC. As a result, we work with many of their tape products. These include VHB Tapes, EMI Shielding Tapes, Transfer Tapes, and many others. One of the tapes we work with often is 3M 9731 Double Coated Tape. This tape has the great...