As a thermally conductive material that has just emerged in recent years, thermally conductive gel makes it easy for many users to confuse it with thermally conductive silicone grease. This is mainly because both thermally conductive materials are paste-like. It's not that some people can't tell the difference, it's a relatively normal thing. Many people even regard them as a kind of material because they don't know the difference between the two. Let's take a look at the difference between thermal gel and thermal grease. At the same time, it will also help you better understand these two thermal interface materials.
different production methods
Thermally conductive gel is an ultra-high viscosity thermally conductive material, and its components are composed of many thermally conductive powders and silica gel. Then it is fully matured and kneaded. During this process, the material is always in a vacuum state. This also keeps the thermal gel free of air. At the same time, this material is also packaged in syringes.
However, thermal conductive silicone grease is different from thermal conductive gel in terms of formula and production process. This kind of material is packaged in cans, and when used at the same time, it is either screen printed or directly painted on it.
length of working life
The thermally conductive gel can be kept dry for a long time, and it can also be compressed infinitely. The general service life can be more than 10 years. As for the use time of thermal conductive silicone grease, it can be said to be one of the shortest among many thermal interface materials. Generally, thermal conductive silicone grease will slowly dry up and pulverize after being used for more than half a year. Generally, it becomes powder in about 2 years. This naturally loses the ability to conduct heat. This is also a place where thermal conductive silicone grease is criticized by everyone, and it also hinders the development of thermal conductive silicone grease.
Different thermal resistance and thickness
Because users need to combine their own product characteristics and structure, to choose a suitable thermal conductivity material, whether it is a thermal conductivity gel or a thermal conductivity silicone grease. If you have to choose a thermal interface material with low thermal resistance, fast heat transfer, high thermal conductivity, and long-term use. Then thermal conductive gel is a good choice among many materials.
