In several earlier issues of Electronics Cooling, I discussed the thermal conductivity of air as a function of temperature and pressure. Therein, it was stated that the temperature dependence cannot be neglected, but that the pressure dependence, under 'normal' conditions, is virtually absent. But what is 'normal' these days? In 'normal' electronic systems we, indeed, need … [Read more...]
Pyrolytic graphite – thermal performance by structure
Continuing our discussion of different forms of carbon, this column addresses the topic of pyrolytic graphite, a material that opens up many interesting applications not only for cooling but also for scientific measurement equipment. Pyrolytic graphite - the finest forms of which are often called Highly Ordered Pyrolytic Graphite (HOPG) - is manufactured through a pyrolysis … [Read more...]
The Thermal Conductivity of Thermal Insulators
This issue, we present an overview of a number of materials that are often used as thermal insulators. The world would have been much easier for thermal engineers if only the creator had provided us with a choice of materials showing the same range in thermal conductivity values as exists for electrical conductivity. Alas, this isn't the case. Thus, not a single one of the … [Read more...]
Diamonds are a Thermal Designer's Best Friends
Different forms of carbon, such as processed natural graphite, pyrolytic graphite, diamond-like carbon, and synthetic diamond, offer lots of possibilities for maximizing conductive heat transfer.Synthetic diamond has already found its place as a common solution for heat spreaders inside semiconductor laser components, where temperature stabilization is of utmost importance for … [Read more...]
The thermal conductivity of rubbers/elastomers
In the May 2001 issue, this column discussed the thermal conductivity of unfilled plastics. The interested reader may have noticed that the category of rubbers/elastomers was missing. This was not without reason. The user of these elastic materials should be aware that the final thermal resistance (which is, of course, from an engineering point of view, the more important … [Read more...]
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