Thermal Interface Materials

Robert McKeown Company provides a range of high-quality, high-performance materials for electronics applications, including thermal interface materials (TIM). These materials are critical elements of thermal management systems. They facilitate the transfer of heat between two or more solid surfaces to prevent overheating and other excessive heat-related issues. They work by filling in the spaces between rough surfaces where small pockets of air can form and prevent heat from dissipating.
Types of Thermal Interface Materials
There are many types of thermal interface materials, each of which has unique characteristics that make it suitable for particular applications. The TIM products available at Robert McKeown are:
Gap filling thermal interface: Gap filling thermal interface materials are engineered to deform gaps to resolve compliancy or flatness problems while ensuring efficient heat transfer. They absorb gaps without producing a large amount of stress.
Thin interface thermal insulators: Thin interface thermal insulators have a highly thin form that still offers good thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties.
Thermally conductive double-coated attachment tapes: Thermally conductive, double-coated attachment tapes serve as an easy to apply and use thermal management solutions.
Phase change thermal interface: Phase change thermal interface materials are solid at room temperature and soften at operating temperature, which makes them easy to apply. They conform to surfaces with light pressure and are non-electrically conductive.
Applications for Thermal Interface Materials
Thermal interface materials are essential for thermal management in many industries. Typical applications include:
Electronics packaging: As electronic assemblies become increasingly compact and processing bandwidth increases, thermal energy also escalates and becomes more challenging to manage. TIMs are key to resolving these issues; in electronics packaging, they facilitate heat transfer by improving contact between surfaces.
Household appliances: Home appliances contain many heat-producing components that require effective and efficient thermal dissipation solutions to ensure long operating lives. TIMs are used to fill the gaps between these components and heat sinks to decrease internal temperatures.
Lighting technology: LED lighting technology uses both electrically conductive and nonconductive TIMs to dissipate heat from system areas where excessive temperatures could lead to failure.
Medical technology: Thermal interface materials are found in various electronic components and systems used for medical imaging and other medical electronics applications. Some examples of heat sources in medical electronics that require TIMs include microprocessors, power supplies, CT scanner components, surgical laser systems, DC-DC converters, and more.
Industrial automation: Semiconductors are integral components of automation equipment. Since excessive heat can damage them, leading to reduced lifespan or unexpected failure, incorporating proper thermal management materials is vital.
Robert McKeown: A Leading Provider of Thermal Management Products
Many electronic devices and systems contain thermally sensitive components that are critical to their operation. Since these products naturally produce and gather heat during use, it is essential to establish and implement thermal management solutions to prevent excessive temperatures.

At Robert McKeown, we offer a broad selection of thermal interface materials that help resolve issues with overheating, ensuring the reliability and longevity of electronic products. Our experts can assist you in identifying and sourcing the ideal material for your application. To learn more about our products, contact us today. Request a quote to get started on your thermal interface material solution.

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THERM-A-GAP - High Thermal Conductive Gap Filler Pads

Gap Filling Thermal Interface

CHO-THERM - High Power Thermally Conductive Electrical Insulator Pads

Thin Interface Thermal Insulators

Double Coated Attachment Tapes

Phase Change Thermal Interface

Most silicone formulations are solventless, eliminating the need for special storage, ventilation, or handling. And because many of our electronics adhesives and solvents are reworkable, they offer great flexibility and allow for easier module repair.

Electronics adhesives and sealants are frequently used in: automotive, communications, industrial, and energy industries, as well as consumer devices.

Automotive

Communications

Industrial

Energy Industries

Consumer Devices

Extremely versatile, these adhesives can be used for:

Sealing lids and housing grooves
Cushioning or stabilizing fragile components
Affixing components such as capacitors and coils to circuit boards
Adhering module lids and baseplates
Gasketing

SILICONE ADHESIVES

One of the most popular types of electronics adhesives, silicone adhesives provide excellent flexibility and high heat resistance, making them ideal for electrical, automotive, aerospace, and construction industries. There are several varieties of silicone adhesives available, including:

Two-component systems that require a curing agent
One-component systems that cure through air moisture
UV or EB radiation curing adhesives
Pressure-sensitive versions that adhere to surfaces with little pressure

RTV sealants (room-temperature vulcanizing) begin to cure as soon as they’re exposed to moisture in the air, so they must be used quickly. Pressure-sensitive sealants offer a permanent tackiness. UV- or radiation-cured sealants, on the other hand, require UV light to cure, while thermoset silicone sealants require heat to cure. Although not as strong as other sealants or adhesives, electrical silicone sealants remain flexible even when fully dried or cured. Various types of silicone sealants serve as ideal solutions for high-heat applications like engine gaskets.

In electronics fabrication, silicone adhesive sealants are often used for fixing parts on circuit boards, LCD module assembly, general sealing, and component protection. Specific formulations differ depending on intended use and can be customized to allow for enhanced thermal conductivity, superior protection of metal electrodes, and faster cure times. These sealants are available in chemical-, heat-, mildew-, and oil-resistant formulations to meet a wide range of application needs.

Industrial silicone epoxy is used for:

General-purpose fixture sealing of tubs
Windows, ductwork
Gaskets
General-purpose bonding
Sealing

THERMAL SEALANTS

High temperatures often present problems for conventional adhesive materials and can affect printed circuit boards and assemblies. At Robert McKeown, we offer the highest-level special adhesive grades of thermal sealants, which allow for enhanced thermal conductivity. Both low-viscosity liquids and non-slump formations are available in two-cure chemistries.

We also offer one-part moisture-cure grades, which use room-temperature processing to cut back on equipment needs. After cure, the materials form strong but flexible bonds, which protect from mechanical stress and vibration. Both one- and two-part heat-cure solutions accelerate processing and support high throughput production.

Heat resistant silicone adhesives are extremely versatile materials and dispense easily at room temperature, but can also cure quickly at any thickness level at temperatures as low as 90°C. Efficacy and functionality are improved when higher temperatures accelerate cure times.

CHEMICAL RESISTANT ADHESIVES

Chemical resistant silicone adhesives are commonly used in:

Chemical processing plants
Chemical piping and tanks
Medical devices

These adhesives can reliably protect against a wide range of chemicals and harsh materials, including acid, alcohol, and fuel. Depending on specific application requirements, they can also provide resistance against solvents, bases, sterilization, and water.

EPOXY BASED ADHESIVES

Epoxy based adhesives are created by mixing a resin and a hardener. Curing is initiated when the resin is mixed with a certain catalyst. The covalent bonds resulting from this combination determine the rigidity and strength of the epoxy sealant.

Epoxy adhesives can reliably adhere to a variety of materials and are ideal for applications demanding chemical resistance, high strength, and low stress. Thermally conductive, microelectronic-grade, general-purpose, high-temperature and chemical resistant epoxy adhesives are available as both one- and two-part solutions. Epoxy adhesive and sealants allow for room temperature, thermal, or UV-curing capabilities.

Gap Filling Thermal Interface

Thin Interface Thermal Insulators

Double Coated Attachment Tapes

Phase Change Thermal Interface

FEATURES AND USES OF ELECTRONICS SEALANTS AND ADHESIVES

Silicone Adhesive/Sealants

Epoxy Adhesive/Sealants

SILICONE ADHESIVES

THERMAL SEALANTS

CHEMICAL RESISTANT ADHESIVES

EPOXY BASED ADHESIVES

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