Patent ID: 8445102

Claim:
A thermal interface material assembly comprising: a thermal interface material having a first side and a second side, and which is conformable to a mating surface; and a dry material having a thickness of about 0.0005 inches or less, the dry material disposed along at least a portion of the first side of the thermal interface material; wherein the dry material is configured to be releasable from a mating component when in contact therewith, thereby allowing the thermal interface material assembly after being positioned with the dry material against the mating component to release from the mating component and with the dry material remaining disposed along the thermal interface material; wherein the dry material comprises a metal layer having a thickness of about 0.0005 inches or less, the metal layer having first and second sides, the first side of the metal layer disposed along at least a portion of the first side of the thermal interface material; and wherein a polymer coating is on at least a portion of the second side of the metal layer.