High Thermal Conductivity Insulators Provides Best Performance

Modern equipment and electronic devices in many industries require efficient heat dissipation to avoid overheating which reduces performance, lifespan, reliability and may pose fire risks. This challenge is exacerbated by the continuous evolution toward miniaturization, higher integration and power density [1].

As a result, Efficient Thermal Management in Electronics is increasingly vital for many applications – especially when it involves high-power voltages where the insulator must effectively disperse electrical current while providing excellent thermal insulation. In addition to the standard insulating material such as plastic or rubber, there are a number of special materials that offer this dual function and are suitable for high-power voltages.

Such gap fillers, commonly made of ceramics or non-metallic compounds, have high thermal conductivity to effectively transfer heat, while maintaining low electrical conductivity to impede currents. These materials are called thermal conductive gap fillers and are often required to be flame retardant, fire-retardant and corrosion resistant.

The defining properties of gap filler materials are their thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity (SHC). Thermal Conductivity is the ability of a material to transmit thermal energy, typically measured as the amount of energy needed to raise 1 kg of the material by 1 K [1]. The lower the thermal conductivity, the more effective the material as an insulator. Metals, for example, have very high thermal conductivity, while wood has very low thermal conductivity – a property known as Thermal Diffusivity.

Specific Heat Capacity is the ability of a material to retain or absorb heat, measured as the amount of energy needed to raise a kilogram of the material by 1 K [2]. The higher the SHC, the more energy the material can store. The combination of Thermal Diffusivity and Specific Heat Capacity defines the thermal mass of a material.

For the best thermal performance, a gap filler should provide a combination of good Thermal Diffusivity and High Thermal Mass. This allows for a quick and even heat distribution across the surface of the insulation material to avoid hot spots, reducing heating and cooling costs.

XK-F15 is an extruded, foamed, high-performance gap filler that delivers exceptional thermal and electrical performance to meet the needs of today’s demanding applications. It features a unique, innovative foamed structure that provides good flexibility and mechanical integrity to ensure long-term durability. It is available in a wide variety of sizes, thicknesses and colors to meet the requirements of various applications and environments. It also offers low-profile design to minimize space requirement and is compatible with most existing mounting systems. This versatile product is ideal for high-voltage applications such as large motors, trams, machinery and machine tools. It is a suitable replacement for traditional insulators such as foam core or paperboard, and can be easily installed with the use of adhesives or double-sided tape. For further information on this innovative thermal management solution, please download the XK-F15 brochure.