Institution: | aSchool of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering, University Sains Malaysia, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia bSchool of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia cIntel Technology Sdn. Bhd., Bayan Lepas Industrial Zone, Phase 3, Halaman Kampung Jawa, 11900 Penang, Malaysia |
Abstract: | Silicone rubber filled with thermally conductive, but electrically insulating Al2O3 or ZnO fillers were investigated to be used as elastomeric thermal pads, a class of thermal interface materials. The effect of Al2O3 or ZnO fillers on the thermal conductivity and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the silicone rubber were investigated, and it was found that with increasing Al2O3 or ZnO fillers, the thermal conductivity of the thermal pads increases, while the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) decreases. The thermal conductivity results obtained were also analyzed using the Agari model to explain the effect of Al2O3 or ZnO fillers on the formation of thermal conductive networks. Thermal gravimetry analysis (TGA) showed that the addition of either Al2O3 or ZnO fillers increases the thermal stability of the silicone rubber, while the scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed that at 10 vol.% filler loading percolation threshold has yet to be reached. |