Thermal pads are used in specific scenarios where their unique properties offer advantages over thermal paste. Thermal pads excel in scenarios prioritizing ease of use, durability, insulation, and mechanical flexibility.

Uneven Surfaces or Gaps

When components have irregular or uneven surfaces, thermal pads compress to fill larger gaps (typically 0.25~12 mm), ensuring consistent heat transfer without the risk of air pockets.

Electrical Insulation

In environments where electrical conductivity is a risk, non-conductive thermal pads prevent short circuits, unlike some metal-based thermal pastes.

Ease of Application

Ideal for quick assembly or mass production, as pads can be pre-cut and applied without the mess or precision required for thermal paste.

Low Maintenance/Longevity

Suitable for sealed or hard-to-access devices (e.g., laptops, industrial equipment), as pads don’t dry out or degrade as easily over time.

Delicate Components

When components cannot withstand high mounting pressure, pads require less compressive force to achieve contact compared to paste.

Reusability

Helpful in prototyping or testing phases, as pads can often be reused if undamaged after disassembly.

Vibration Resistance

In high-vibration environments (e.g., automotive electronics), pads stay intact better than paste, which might shift or pump out.

Component Height Variations

Useful for cooling multiple components on a PCB with uneven heights, as pads compress to accommodate differences.

Consumer Electronics

Common in smartphones, tablets, and pre-built systems where user maintenance is unlikely, and reliability is key.

Moderate Thermal Needs

For applications where extreme heat dissipation isn’t critical, mid-range conductivity pads suffice, though high-performance pads (6~15 W/m.K) can bridge some gaps.

If you would like to learn more about AOK performance thermal materials, please visit our website at www.aok-technologies.com