What is thermal conductive silicone grease? What are the characteristics and uses?
Thermal grease helps transfer heat between hot components such as CPUs and GPUs and cooling devices (usually heat sinks). This article explores the important role of thermal grease, including its composition, characteristics, and how to use it to ensure good heat transfer. We will discuss different types of thermal grease, including silicone, metal, ceramic, carbon based, and liquid metal, and how each grease meets specific needs. This article also explains the correct method of applying thermal grease on CPUs to avoid common errors and misconceptions, demonstrating its extensive role in maintaining the stability and efficiency of electronic devices. How does thermal grease enhance thermal conductivity?Thermal grease, commonly known as thermal paste, plays an important role in controlling the heat of electronic devices. Its main function is to facilitate heat transfer from hotter components (such as CPUs or GPUs) to cooler components (such as heat sinks) by filling the air gaps between surfaces. At the molecular level, there are several mechanisms that can explain how thermal oils improve thermal conductivity:The surfaces of heat sources (such as CPUs) and heat sinks may appear smooth to the naked eye, but in reality, they are rough and uneven on a microscopic scale. These uneven areas will create small air gaps when in contact with the surface, which will hinder heat transfer as air is a poor conductor of heat. Thermal grease will fill these air gaps and replace air with materials with much higher thermal conductivity, thereby improving heat transfer efficiency. Thermal conductive grease is made by mixing basic materials such as silicone or synthetic oil with thermal conductive particles such as metal, ceramic, or carbon. These particles form a thermal conduction pathway network in the oil, allowing heat to propagate more efficiently than through the base material alone. This network improves the overall…
