Simply put, thermal grease (also known as thermall conductive adhesive or thermal conductive silicone grease) is something that helps dissipate heat. It is mainly used in electronic devices, such as computers and cell phones. This is because the processors in these devices are very hot and the thermal grease works to carry the heat away so that the device does not overheat. It fills in the small gaps between the heat sink and the processor, allowing the heat to transfer out better.
Next, Trumonytechs will explain how thermal grease works. And why it’s so important to the performance of your device, as well as some precautions to take when using it.
Table of Contents
The Role of Thermal Grease
Thermal grease is used to fill in the tiny gaps between the heat source (such as the processor) and the heat sink, helping to keep it cool. These gaps are so small you can’t even see them, but they trap heat. Since air is a poor conductor of heat. This makes it difficult for heat to be carried away from the device. Thermal grease fixes this by filling in the air gaps, allowing heat to transfer more easily from the processor to the heat sink.
Thermal grease also helps to improve the cooling system of the equipment. It reduces thermal resistance, which means it removes barriers that prevent heat from moving. As a result, the cooling system works better. Whether it’s the CPU in your computer or the processor in your cell phone. Thermally conductive silicone grease helps protect these important components from overheating and slowing down or damaging them. In short, thermally conductive silicone grease not only helps keep your device cooler, it also extends the life of your device.
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Applications of Thermal Grease
The range of applications for thermal grease covers almost all electronic devices that require efficient heat dissipation. In daily life and industry, thermally conductive grease are not only limited to CPUs and GPUs in computers, but are also widely used in other areas:
Computers and smartphones: In these devices, the processor (CPU), graphics processing unit (GPU) are the main heat sources. Thermal grease is used to create an efficient heat transfer path between the processor and the heat sink. By doing so, it effectively ensures that the device runs stably even under intense use. Poor heat dissipation can lead to degradation of device performance and possibly even damage to the hardware.
Servers and Data Centers: These large computing devices typically run for long periods of time and generate a lot of heat. High thermal conductivity thermal grease is used to ensure that these devices continue to dissipate heat. This effectively prevents system crashes and data loss due to overheating.
LED Lamps: The chips in LED lamps generate a high amount of heat, and thermal grease can help transfer the heat quickly to the heat sink. This can effectively ensure that the LED lamps and lanterns are still efficient and safe operation under long time use.
Automotive electronics: With the improvement of automotive electronics, the heat generated by batteries and control systems in electric and hybrid vehicles must be distributed in a timely manner. Thermal grease plays an important role in these systems, helping to extend the life of electronic components.
Power modules and other electronic components: In power modules, inverters and other equipment, thermally conductive grease are used to ensure effective heat dissipation from internal circuits, preventing overheating that can lead to equipment damage or performance degradation.
Industrial equipment: Thermal grease is also used in high-end industrial equipment and machinery, especially in those that require precise temperature control. It helps the equipment to work stably in harsh working environments.
The liquid form of the thermal grease helps to fill the small gaps between the processor and the heat sink. This ensures as much contact as possible between the two surfaces. Without thermal Grease, air would enter these gaps and the device would overheat due to the poor thermal conductivity of the air. Thermal grease therefore effectively reduces thermal resistance and improves heat transfer. At the same time, it ensures that the device keeps working smoothly even when it is subjected to great pressure for a long period of time.
Chemical composition of thermally conductive grease
The main ingredients in thermal grease are special fillers and a liquid that helps hold everything together. Together, these components determine the working properties of the thermally conductive grease. Fillers typically include materials such as alumina, silicon dioxide and boron nitride. These materials help the thermal grease transfer heat from the processor to the heat sink faster.
Another important characteristic of thermal grease is low electrical conductivity. This is why liquids such as silicone oil or pure water are often used in thermal grease. These liquids ensure that the thermal grease transfers heat without causing electrical problems such as short circuits when it comes into contact with other parts inside the device. The combination of these fillers and liquids is designed to keep the device safe while making sure it can get rid of heat quickly.
Different thermal grease have different recipes and levels of heat and electrical conductivity. Depending on the needs of the equipment, Trumonytechs adjusts the amount of each component to meet the heat dissipation needs of different devices.
Different types of thermally conductive grease
Choosing the right type of thermally conductive grease will not only improve the heat dissipation of your equipment. It also extends the life of the equipment, thereby reducing long-term maintenance costs. Trumonytech’s technical team is also available to support you.
There are many types of Thermal Grease. They vary in heat transfer, thickness and temperature range, making them suitable for a variety of applications. Some Thermal Greases have high thermal conductivity, which means they transfer heat quickly. These are great for high-performance devices like CPUs or GPUs in powerful computers. Other thermal grease are thicker and don’t need to be replaced as often, which makes them better for devices that don’t need as much cooling.
When choosing a thermally conductive grease, it is important to select the right type based on the needs of the device. For example, in equipment that operates intensively for long periods of time, thermal grease may dry out over time, reducing its thermal conductivity. Therefore, regular reapplication of thermal grease is the key to keep the thermal system working well. For devices with high thermal requirements, it is especially important to choose a more durable thermal grease to minimize the need for frequent maintenance.
How to Properly Use Thermal Grease?
The proper application of Thermal Grease is key to ensuring that your device dissipates heat efficiently, especially on electronic components like the CPU. Here are some simple steps for applying Thermal Grease as compiled by Trumonytechs:
- Clean Surfaces: before applying Thermal Grease, make sure the surface of the CPU and heatsink is clean. You can gently wipe these surfaces with a lint-free cloth and some isopropyl alcohol to remove any dust or old Thermal Grease residue.
- Applying Thermal Grease: squeeze a small dot of thermal grease (usually the size of a grain of rice) into the centre of the CPU. You don’t need to apply too much, as too much Thermal Grease can lead to poor results instead. Remember, Thermal Grease is only meant to fill tiny gaps, not cover the entire surface.
- Evenly spread: When installing the heatsink, gently press down on it so the thermal grease spreads out evenly over the surface. Don’t press too hard, as that could damage the parts or cause the grease to overflow.
- Avoid using too much: If you apply too much thermal grease, it could spill over and get on the parts around the CPU. If the thermal grease conducts electricity, this could cause short circuit problems. So, make sure to use just the right amount.
- Check and adjust: After putting on the heatsink, make sure it’s secure, but don’t tighten the screws too much. Over-tightening could damage the chips inside.
With these steps, you can ensure that the Thermal Grease is evenly applied to enhance heat dissipation while avoiding contaminating other parts of the device. If the Thermal Grease is used properly, the device’s thermal performance will be greatly improved and it will be more stable when running.
Conclusion
Thermal Grease is important to help dissipate heat from electronic devices. It fills the tiny gaps between the heat source and the heat sink, making it easier to cool the device. It also helps protect vital components from overheating damage. Choosing and using the right thermally conductive grease is important to keep your equipment running well and for a longer life. Whether it’s a high-performance computer or a long-running piece of industrial equipment, thermally conductive silicone grease is a key tool for better heat dissipation.We also offer a guide to the best materials for heat dissipation in electronics , which can also be viewed for more detailed insights.
Choosing the right type of thermal grease helps your device work better by keeping it cool and reducing how often you need to do maintenance. Trumonytechs, as a developer and supplier of thermal interface materials, is committed to providing quality thermal solutions for all types of electronic devices. We can provide a wide range of customized Thermal Grease and interface materials to meet the needs of different application scenarios and help devices achieve a more efficient thermal management system. If you have any needs or questions, please feel free to contact us for more information.
