Recently, we saw some thermal pads that caught our attention. Silicone-Free in industry is important for a number of reasons. In the last 10-20 years, silicone-free thermal pads has become a huge market for the electronic industry. In this blog, we wanted to discuss some silicone-free pads offered by Laird/DuPont. 

Why is Silicone a Problem in Industry? 

Silicone is so great. No one would challenge that it has brought humanity to a different level due to its amazing ability to withstand temperature, its non-stick properties, and lubrication properties. It has been depended on for years to be the matrix/polymer of choice for thermal pads for the last 35 years. However, due to the significant problems with silicone/siloxane in manufacturing many OEMs are now calling for silicone-free thermal pads due to the issues. 

silicone-free?

Problems with Silicone in Modern Manufacturing

-Trouble with Common Manufacturing Processes, bonding, soldering, and adhesive bonding

-Outgassing, Offgassing, Bleeding causes silicone contamination that will cause adhesive failures cohesively, and adhesively

-Painting processes can be severely disrupted to a point failure.

-Once Silicone is present in an application, it’s nearly impossible to clean up, and away. It’s a haunting ghost of the manufacturing environment. 

If Silicone-Free is so Great, Why Isn’t it Offered Everywhere?

Silicone Free Thermal Interface Materials are really great. One of the big drawbacks with silicone free materials is the temperature range isn’t nearly as good as their silicone thermal interface counterparts. In some electronics, this can be a problem because of the heat gyrations that happen in high speed electronics. However, in most manufacturing environments the silicone-free pads offer a significant advantage over the silicone materials.

TFlex Product Offering for Silicone-Free Thermal Pads(datasheet download)

TFLEX SF800– 7.8 W/m-K- Color Gray- thicknesses available: 0.020’’-0.160’’ 

TFLEX SF600– 3 W/m-K- Color Pink- thicknesses available: 0.010’’-0.140’’

TFLEX SF10– 10 W/m-K- Color Gray -thicknesses available: 0.020’’-0.200’’ this actually tests at around 12 w/m-k. I tested it twice cause I didn’t believe it! 

TFLEX SF7- 7.8 W/m-K

TFLEX SF4- 4 W/m-K

Note: CoolZorb Ultra is also a silicone-free thermal gap filler that is a hybrid EMI absorber. 

More Information on Silicone-Free Thermal Interface Pads

NEDC does custom die-cutting, and knife cutting of silicone-free pads for customers. For more information on silicone-free thermal pads, or you feel you have an application that could utilize thermal gap filler pads, please contact sales@nedc.com.

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