The Best Uses High Thermal Conductivity Insulators

The Efficient Thermal Management in Electronics is a material, also known as its l-value or , is a measurement of the ease with which heat travels through that material. Generally, materials with higher l-values are more insulating than those with lower l-values. Whether high or low thermal conductivity is better depends on the application. In applications where heat must be transferred rapidly to another component, higher thermal conductivity is preferable because it allows the transfer to occur faster. Conversely, in situations where the object must be protected from external heat sources, lower thermal conductivity is preferred because it limits the amount of heat that can escape the object.

The thermal resistance of a material is inversely proportional to its l-value, meaning that increasing the l-value decreases the thermal resistance and vice versa. A l-value of 0 is perfectly insulating and a l-value of 1 is perfect conductor. For example, a piece of foam has a l-value of 0.0 and a piece of glass has a l-value of 1, while a piece of metal has a l-value of 1 and a piece of ceramic has a l-value of 0.

In chemistry and physics, the thermal conductivity of a material is defined as the quantity of heat that passes through it per unit time divided by its temperature. The unit is joule/kelvin. The thermal conductivity of a material is influenced by its composition and structure as well as by temperature and pressure, with the best values occurring at room temperature.

Most commonly used materials have a low thermal conductivity but there are some exceptions. Copper has the highest thermal conductivity followed by gold and aluminum nitride. Copper is the most common material used in electrical wiring, although gold and aluminium are sometimes employed due to their superior corrosion resistance.

Aside from being highly conductive, these materials have other desirable properties. For instance, copper has a high melting point and a very low rate of corrosion. Copper is also inexpensive. In contrast, gold is very expensive but it can withstand harsh conditions and corrodes at a much slower rate.

Xometry is proud to offer a wide selection of thermally conductive insulators to help you keep your prototypes, test samples and production parts cool. Contact us for more information or a quote.

GORE Thermal Insulation is a compressible insulation that has a high level of tolerance and impact resistance while providing good dielectric strength. It is also available in a variety of thicknesses to match your exact design requirements. The graphite in GORE Thermal Insulation has very low thermal conductivity, reducing z-axis conductivity and minimizing hot spots when used as an air gap between two surfaces. GORE Thermal Insulation can be easily cut and molded to fit tight spaces and curves while maintaining its performance. Moreover, GORE Thermal Insulation can be bonded to a substrate such as polyimide to increase its durability and resistance to thermal cycling. Our Xometry experts are ready to assist you with any questions or concerns that you may have.