Need advice - double-sided tape used for thermal link to heatsink - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: wb0gaz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2023, 03:46:35 pm
content: Need help choosing a double-sided tape that can be used to provide removable attachment of small heatsinks (typically 10-20mm square attached to flat surface with thermal load.)I've tried so far a white (adhesive layer) tape with blue removable cover layer that appears to be same as "gorilla" brand double-sided mounting tape. I've also tried a 3M tape that is labeled 9448A "double coated tissue tape".Both were sold for purpose of attachment of small heatsinks. Both become soft when temperature gets to about 110F and I'm concerned that the heatsink may fall off it's position at higher temperatures. The adhesive material in both cases yields to Acetone (to clean off and prepare heatsink for re-application.) Both seem to provide adequate thermal link, but mechanically I'm not pleased with the result.Happy to move this question to other forum page, answer any questions for purpose of clarification,As this is not for production use, I want to avoid tapes that would prevent subsequent removal of the heatsink.

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2023, 03:50:16 pm
content: thermal sillicone ?https://www.momentive.com/en-us/categories/thermal-management/thermally-conductive-silicone-adhesives-for-electronics

author: wb0gaz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2023, 04:02:15 pm
content: That could work - I'd never heard of this type of material, so appreciate the pointer.I am hoping to stick (so to speak) with something delivered as a tape (rather than liquid), as one of my use cases (of course, something I failed to mention in the original posting) is for application on "other side"of a PC board with a via field used to pass heat from one side (where a SMD semiconductor is mounted) to the side where the heatsink is present. A liquid I think would flow into the vias, and make adequate cleaning during removal of the heatsink difficult.Dave

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2023, 04:18:50 pm
content: A standard brand of silicone materials for interface to heat sinks is "Sil Pad"https://www.henkel-adhesives.com/us/en/products/thermal-management-materials/sil-pad-materials.htmlThey have a wide range of formats, including electrically insulating and non-insulating, with or without adhesive.

author: wb0gaz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2023, 06:43:02 pm
content: Thanks very much - I am sure I can isolate the needed product from that range,Dave

author: wb0gaz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2023, 10:16:10 pm
content: Realized I had two other types to try in the junkbox - 3M 8810 (technical datasheet says this is intended for thermal links) had the same sort of behavior, "squishy" shear deflection when hot. Took that off, cleaned everything again, and tried Sekisui 5760 - it was much closer to what I had in mind (only a little shear deflection behavior when hot.)

author: notsob
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2023, 10:38:10 pm
content: Try contacting TESA (tesa tape)tesa.comThey will have a solution to meet your requirements