New Method for Characterizing Thermal Interface Materials in an In Situ Environment

ABSTRACT

A new method based on existing measurement standards for a quick and repeatable thermal conductivity measurement of nanoparticle-based thermal greases and other compressible thermal interface materials (TIMs) has been created by Mentor Graphics in collaboration with researchers at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics. The test approach is based on the thermal transient testing methodology, and test results clearly indicated that it can be applied well for the measurement of the bulk thermal conductivity of TIMs. Beside the measurement of the bulk thermal conductivity, after a proper calibration step, the proposed setup is also suitable for the measurement of the “effective” thermal conductivity of various TIM samples. For highly conductive samples, the characterization is done with exceptional accuracy and repeatability.