Thermal conducting plastics
Speciality compounds with enhanced thermal conductivity based on conductive and insulating additives.
Your benefits
- Large selection of basic polymers
- Wide range of fillers with thermal conductivity properties
- Good rates of thermal conductivity:
- up to 10 W/(m•K) with electrically insulating materials
- up to 20 W/(m•K) with electrically conductive materials
- Moderate degree of filling for good residual material properties
- Design freedom and weight saving
Innovative cooling solutions
More than just one option
Metals are better conductors of heat. This much is undisputed. And after all, plastics have always been appreciated more for their insulating properties. But in certain applications metals do have distinct drawbacks. This is where a new range of thermally conductive plastics from Ensinger comes into its own:
• They can be produced in practically any shape.
• They can provide electrical insulation.
These benefits make them ideally suited as pacemakers for efficiency in the field of power electronics, whether technologically due to their optimum cooling management properties, or economically through cost savings as a result of simplified processes.
Thermally conductive and free forming
Definitely a cool solution: TECACOMP® TC
Depending on the fillers used, components made
of TECACOMP® TC provide thermal conductivity of
between 5 and 20 W/(m·K), making them ideally
suited for applications such as heat dissipation
in electronic components.
Formability superior to any metal
Thermally conductive plastics from Ensinger
can be freely formed by injection moulding.
This opens up a whole new degree of creative
freedom for the design of effective cooling
elements or insert moulding of complete
assemblies with a sturdy, heat-dissipating
enclosure.
Electrically conductive or insulating - to suit the application
Another advantage over using metal is the facility to equip TECACOMP® TC plastics with electrically insulating properties. In this way, a single plastic component can be used to cool several different electronic components. Insert moulding of assemblies allows several functions to be performed in one:
• Mechanical fixture
• Protection against environmental influences
• Electrical insulation
• Heat dissipation
Where applications call for electrical conductivity, Ensinger TECACOMP® TC plastics can be produced with conductive fillers.
Electrically insulating or conductive fillers
Added fillers determine the properties
A wide selection of basic polymers such as
PA, PC, PP, PPS, PEEK and others can demonstrate
different thermal conductivity properties by
the addition of specific fillers. Depending on
the filler used, these can be either electrically
insulating or conductive.
By using innovative fillers, the degree of filling
can be minimized depending on the application.
This allows any influence on the properties of
the basic polymers used to be kept to a minimum.
Electrically insulating
An electrically insulating thermally
conductive plastic is produced by adding
ceramic fillers to the polymer matrix.
Depending on the filler geometry and
degree of filling, thermal conductivity
capability of up to 10 W/(m·K) can be
achieved. A particular benefit of these
materials is that of minimal tool wear
during machining.
Electrically conductive
By adding graphite or carbon fibres
or by using plastic/metal hybrids, it is
possible to produce thermally conductive
materials which also have electrical
conduction properties. Depending on the
degree of filling, values of up to around
20 W/(m·K) can be achieved.
- Temperature profile in a heat sink
The optimum material selection for your application
Dynamic development
The whole field of thermally conductive
plastics is currently undergoing a highly
dynamic development process. Fields of
application are widespread, and there
are many opportunities just waiting to be
exploited. However, this wide range of
diverse applications also poses a specific
challenge for the materials used. This is
why Ensinger develops individual thermally
conductive plastics in close co-operation with customers.
Customized products
Working in agreement with you, we
will develop the TECACOMP® TC variant
which combines the greatest number of
benefits for your product. We take a
close analytical look at your specific
requirements before the right basic
polymer, the optimum filler and the relevant
degree of filling are combined to create
your own specific product. We will be
pleased to offer you detailed advice.
Colours
Depending on the basic polymer used
and the selected filler, it may be possible
to adjust the colour in line with
your preferences.
