Thermally conductive gel and thermally conductive silicone grease are both materials used to improve the performance of thermal interface materials (TIM), but they differ in characteristics and application scenarios.
Thermally conductive gel
Features:
Morphology: semi-solid or gel-like, with a certain degree of fluidity.
Application: Usually used by injection or coating, can fill irregular surfaces and small gaps.
Operability: easy to operate, suitable for automated production.
Performance: high thermal conductivity, low thermal resistance, suitable for high power density equipment.
Stability: good long-term stability, not easy to dry or drain.
Advantages:
Can effectively fill irregular surfaces and reduce thermal resistance.
Easy to operate, suitable for automated production.
Good long-term stability.
Disadvantages:
High cost.
Some products have a long curing time.
Thermally conductive silicone grease
Features:
Morphology: paste-like, poor fluidity.
Application: Usually applied manually, suitable for regular surfaces.
Operability: relatively complex operation, difficult to automate.
Performance: Low thermal conductivity, high thermal resistance, suitable for low power density equipment.
Stability: Long-term use may dry up or drain, and regular maintenance is required.
Advantages:
Low cost.
Suitable for manual operation.
Disadvantages:
Difficult to fill irregular surfaces, high thermal resistance.
Poor long-term stability, regular maintenance is required.
Summary of differences
Morphology and fluidity: Thermally conductive gel is semi-solid and has good fluidity; thermally conductive silicone grease is paste-like and has poor fluidity.
Application method: Thermally conductive gel is suitable for automated production; thermally conductive silicone grease is suitable for manual operation.
Thermal conductivity: Thermally conductive gel has high thermal conductivity and low thermal resistance; thermally conductive silicone grease has low thermal conductivity and high thermal resistance.
Long-term stability: Thermally conductive gel has good stability; thermally conductive silicone grease may dry up or drain.
Cost: Thermally conductive gel has high cost; thermally conductive silicone grease has low cost.
Selection suggestions
High power density equipment: Choose thermally conductive gel.
Low power density devices or limited budget: choose thermal grease.
Choose the right material for your specific needs.
Links