Gallium-based thermal interface material with high compliance and wettability

This study reports a gallium-based thermal interface material (GBTIM) consisting of gallium oxides dispersed uniformly into the 99 % gallium metal. The wettability of GBTIM with other materials is disclosed and compared. The thermal conductivity of GBTIM measured by a computer-controlled Mathis TCi thermal analyzer is ∼13.07 W m−1 K−1 at room temperature, which is significantly higher than that of conventional thermal greases. An experimental facility is described to measure the thermal resistance across the GBTIM under steady-state conditions and the thermal interface resistance is measured as low as 2.6 mm2 kW−1 with a pressure of 0.05 MPa, which is an order lower than that of the best commercialized thermal greases. Further, the GBTIM is formed into a desired shape to enhance thermal transfer, such as semi-liquid paste or thermal pad, which can be cut into a required shape.

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