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New method to produce more durable electronics products
02.01.2007
Identifying the properties of temperature control materials
The long-term durability of the functionalities of electronic products will be enhanced by the testing method for electronic cooling developed by VTT. The research results also facilitate making consumer and industrial electronics fit into an increasingly smaller space, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of electronics manufacturers.
The new method can be used to test the effectiveness of the heat-conductive
plastic material, grease or tape used between the electronic component and its
cooling rib as part of the component cooling. The test is carried out using
the so-called accelerated tests, applying a comprehensive range of ambient
conditions such as frost, hot and very humid conditions.
VTT
tested some 30 commercially available temperature control materials with the
new method. Using the best of these materials will increase the long-term
durability of electronic products. The test also revealed that some of the
cooling medium materials may even impair the cooling intended to prevent
overheating.
Study based on extensive research
The
study of materials used for the cooling of electronics carried out VTT was
remarkably extensive on an international scale, and the developed testing
method can also be commercialised. The research results will substantially
reduce the uncertainty in the industry concerning temperature control
materials. The findings also rectify common misconceptions about the
significance of these materials in preventing the overheating and damage of
electronic components.
Comparable results concerning
temperature control materials
The test provided, for the
first time, comparable results concerning different types of temperature
control materials used for improving cooling. In addition to the thermal
conductivity of the temperature control material, cooling – that is, the
transfer of heat away from the electronic component – is also affected by the
contact surfaces of the material with the component and the cooling rib. The
thermal impedance of the contact surfaces depends on surface pressure, the
quality of the surfaces and the capability of the temperature control material
to adjust to the unevenness of the surfaces.
The companies
that participated in the research and development work also received
company-specific data about the materials they chose for testing. On the basis
of this data, the companies will be able to manufacture products containing
electronics of increasingly higher quality and better long-term durability.
The work was funded by the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and
Innovation (Tekes), ABB, Nokia, OEM Electronics, Sanmina SCI Haukipudas and
VTT.