Thermal Interface & Insulation Materials for Industrial Power Electronics
For UPS, AC-DC/DC-DC power stages, inverters/VFDs, and servo drives, Sheen materials help reduce interface thermal resistance.
improve electrical insulation safety, and enhance manufacturability (die-cut parts and automation-ready formats).
Recommended for: IGBT/MOSFET/SiC power modules, transformers/inductors, control boards and heat sink interfaces.
Design challenges in industrial power
High heat flux & hotspots
Power devices operate at high power density; interface thermal resistance directly impacts junction temperature margin.
Electrical insulation first
Dielectric strength and insulation reliability often become the key deciding factor for module-to-heat-sink interfaces.
Tolerance & manufacturability
Flatness and height variation require gap management; production needs die-cut parts or dispensable solutions for consistency.
System map (where TIMs are applied)
UPS
Insulation + thermal transfer for power stages and heat sinks; focus on stability through thermal cycling.
AC-DC / PFC Stage
IGBT/MOSFET interfaces to cast aluminum or heat sinks; dielectric strength is often a critical requirement.
DC-DC Converters
Complex gaps and height differences; automation-ready dispensing improves thickness and shape control.
Inverter / VFD
Power module interfaces require low thermal resistance and stable insulation; gap tolerance depends on the flatness stack-up.
Servo Drives
Board-to-housing conduction paths; prioritize controlled compression to protect PCB and packages.
Power Modules
IGBT/SiC/GaN module-level thermal path design; dielectric and reliability screening drive final selection.
Solutions by interface (engineer-ready)
Below are typical subsystem-level selections.
Recommended Silicone-free thermal pads (AF series) for silicone-sensitive assemblies; Silicone pads (SF) where maximum conductivity/temperature range is needed.
- : silicone-free pads reduce risk of low-molecular siloxane migration.
- : select Shore 00 class matched to clamp load to avoid warpage and stress transfer.
Recommended Thermal gels (SE series, 2.0–10.0 W/m·K) for controlled dispensing; pair with pads for hybrid interfaces.
- : compatible with dispensing, screen printing or doctor-blade coating (automation-friendly).
- : gels improve wetting on micro-rough surfaces and reduce interface thermal resistance.
Recommended Phase change materials for heat sink/cold plate interfaces (≈50–52°C activation), or high-k pads where thicker gaps exist.
- : low thermal resistance after phase transition; natural tack simplifies handling.
- : gap tolerance for tolerance stack-ups; optional carriers (PI/fiberglass) improve handling.
Goal: dielectric safety + low thermal resistance + repeatable bolt-down assembly.
Recommended Thermal insulation sheets (fiberglass or PI carrier) to provide high mechanical strength and electrical insulation, combined with PCM/grease or tailored pads depending on flatness and maintenance/rework strategy.
- When dielectric dominates: specify dielectric target (VAC or kV/mm) early; confirm creepage/clearance constraints.
- When rework matters: PCM offers low interface resistance with clean handling; grease is for ultra-low BLT but needs process control.
- Deliverables: pre-cut insulation parts, sheets/rolls, and edge control to prevent overhang.
Goal: fill complex gaps, reduce assembly stress, support automation.
Recommended: Thermal gels for controlled dispensing (thickness/shape control), especially when component height variation is significant.
- Automation-ready: dispensing enables stable thickness and repeatable coverage across a production line.
- Low stress: gels are suitable for fragile components or large tolerance stack-ups.
Goal: transfer heat to housing while minimizing board warpage.
Recommended: Thermal pads selected by measured gap and available clamp load; specify tack and carrier options as needed.
- Gap-defined designs: pads provide fast assembly and repeatable performance (sheet or die-cut).
- Production: die-cut parts improve alignment and prevent contamination from overhang.
Goal: reduce siloxane migration/contamination risks while maintaining insulation and mechanical robustness.
Recommended: Silicone-free thermal pads when your system design or adjacent components require minimized volatile silicone concerns.
- Use case: high-end industrial controls, contamination-sensitive electronics, and reliability-driven designs.
- Selection: match compressibility to clamp load; avoid overstress and ensure stable contact.
Recommended Pads (SF) for ECU/cockpit modules; gels for radar modules and height differences; consider EMI + thermal co-design where required.
- : prioritize controlled wetting, low stress, and stable performance at elevated ambient temperatures.
- : focus on space optimization and stable thermal performance under constrained airflow.
Recommended Pads and PCMs for module-to-cold-plate interfaces; gels for complex gaps; sealing foams for enclosure integrity.
- : focus on stable impedance through temperature cycles and robust manufacturing flow.
- : include sealing/damping material to reduce vibration damage and prevent dust/moisture ingress.
Selection table (fields for engineering & procurement)
Copy this table into your RFQ email to accelerate material matching and sampling.
| Category | Fields to provide | Typical examples |
|---|---|---|
| Subsystem & device | Subsystem; device type; interface location | UPS / AC-DC / DC-DC / Inverter; IGBT / SiC; module-to-heat-sink |
| Thermal | Target W/m·K or target thermal resistance; contact area; power loss (optional) | Target low interface resistance; 40×40mm |
| Mechanical | Gap min/max; target BLT; clamp load/pressure; stress constraints | Gap 1.2–2.0mm; clamp load limited by PCB |
| Electrical | Dielectric requirement; insulation constraints; flame rating | Dielectric target (VAC/kV/mm); UL94 requirement if any |
| Environment | Operating temperature, humidity/aging expectations | -40 to 125°C; thermal cycling |
| Manufacturing | Format; tack; carrier; rework; volume & lead time | Die-cut + single-side tack; PI carrier; 50k/yr |