What Is Thermal Resin?
Thermal Resins are resins with high thermal conductivity (ease of heat transfer in a solid).
In recent years, electronic devices have been rapidly increasing in performance, integration, and miniaturization. This has led to an increase in the amount of heat dissipated from electronic devices, and the heat dissipation performance of electronic devices has become an issue.
Thermal Resins can be used in such electronic devices to improve their heat dissipation performance. Polycarbonate resin, polybutylene terephthalate resin, polyacetal resin, and nylon resin are currently available as Thermal Resins.
Applications of Thermal Resin
Thermal Resins are increasingly used in fields where high heat dissipation performance is required. Examples include use in various electronic devices, office automation equipment, IT equipment, LED components, and sensor components.
Power semiconductors used to control electric vehicles are another application. This is because power semiconductors generate a lot of heat due to high heat loss and must efficiently dissipate heat when in use. Packaging power semiconductors in Thermal Resin improves heat dissipation from the semiconductor chips.
Principle of Thermal Resin
Thermal Resin is produced by blending a Thermal Resin with a Thermal Conductive Filler (e.g. Graphite). When thermally conductive filler is blended, a thermal conductive path consisting of thermally conductive filler is formed inside the resin, and the heat generated inside is dissipated to the outside through this thermal conductive path. This is the reason why the heat dissipation performance of the resin is improved.
However, if Thermal Resin fillers are not in contact with each other inside the resin, no thermal path is naturally formed. Therefore, depending on how the thermally conductive filler is formulated, it may fail to provide thermal conductivity.
In some cases, adding a large amount of Thermal Resin filler will impair the processability of the resin, so another additive is added to add fluidity to the resin.
Types of Thermal Resins
1. Silicon Resin
Silicon resin is a type of polymer composed mainly of silicon and oxygen atoms. It has very high heat resistance, usually reaching temperatures of 200°C or higher, and some special grades can withstand temperatures of 300°C or higher. Silicone resins are extremely flexible and have high chemical resistance.
They also feature excellent electrical insulation and weather resistance. Because of these characteristics, they are widely used in heat sinks for electronic devices and LED lighting, insulation materials for electrical components, and heat-resistant seals.
2. Polyamide Resin (Nylon Resin)
Polyamide resin is a type of polymer formed by the reaction of amines and carboxylic acids, commonly known as nylon. Polyamide resin has high heat resistance, with some special grades having a heat resistance temperature of 300°C or higher.
They also have excellent chemical resistance and high mechanical strength. Because of these characteristics, they are often used in automotive parts, cooling fins for industrial machinery, and cooling materials for electrical and electronic equipment.
3. Polycarbonate Resin
Polycarbonate resin is a polymer with excellent heat resistance and transparency. Its high heat resistance allows it to withstand temperatures of 100°C or higher.
In addition to applications requiring optical transparency, it can be widely used for LED lighting, cases for electronic devices, and heat sinks that need to dissipate heat. It also has excellent impact resistance, making it suitable for sturdy products.
4. Polyester Resin
Polyester resins have high heat resistance, typically with a heat resistance temperature of 100°C or higher, although some special grades can withstand temperatures of 150°C or higher. These resins also have excellent chemical resistance and abrasion resistance.
Widely used in cooling materials for electrical and electronic equipment, power supply components, automotive parts, and insulation materials for industrial machinery.
5. Acrylic Resin (PMMA)
Acrylic resins have excellent transparency and some types have high Thermal Resin. Typical heat resistance temperatures range from 80°C to 100°C, but some special grades with high thermal conductivity can reach 150°C or higher.
Widely used mainly as lenses for LED lighting and optical materials, some high thermal conductivity types are also used for heat dissipation applications.
Other Information on Thermal Resins
Advantages of Thermal Resin
- Prevents localized temperature rise at the point of use
- Lower cost and lighter weight than metals and ceramics
- Easy molding by injection molding, etc., and high degree of freedom in processing
- Number of parts can be reduced by integrating with peripheral parts.