• Thermally conductive fillers increase the thermal conductivity of polymers
• Electrical insulating properties of the plastics used are maintained
• Innovative gap filler with SILATHERM^® offer high performance

More than just a stopgap

Mineral fillers have long ceased to be cost-effective „gap fillers“! They can be used to modify the properties of modern polymer systems in a targeted manner and to adapt them to special requirements. Acicular and platelet-shaped functional fillers give thermoplastics, thermosets and elastomers outstanding values in the area of mechanical strength and thermal parameters. Recently, however, new requirements have been added to these classic demands. For example, the use of electrical components with high energy density requires efficient dissipation of the heat generated while maintaining the electrical insulation performance of the plastic materials used.

The real gap fillers

Developers have a choice of thermal management materials at their disposal. Metals are increasingly being replaced by plastics. The traditional air cooling of electronic components is disappearing due to the progressive miniaturisation of assemblies containing a larger number of components with high energy density. These are often replaced by heat sinks in conjunction with heat-conducting surfaces. Here, actual gap fillers are absolutely necessary. As part of a well thought-out thermal management, thermally conductive silicones fill the air gaps within the electronic assemblies. Air, with its low thermal conductivity, can significantly impair heat transfer between the heat sink and the component. Innovative gap fillers containing the thermally conductive SILATHERM^® products offer high performance and easy handling, making them a valuable tool in the design of new complex geometries.

Functional fillers increase the thermal conductivity of plastics

Thanks to many years of experience in the preparation and refinement of mineral fillers, the SILATHERM^® product series has made it possible to develop new types of fillers that significantly increase the thermal conductivity and mechanical properties of plastics. At the same time, the materials meet the requirement for insulation against electric current. Due to continuous further development, optimised particle size mixtures for higher filling levels are also available. For all products, a significantly better homogenisation can be achieved by surface coating, which is adapted to the customer’s system. This leads to even better mechanics and higher thermal conductivities.