Thermal Grease

[Garey Barrell]

Wes -

That makes me feel better.   I thought I remembered beryllium oxide
grease.  NASA certainly was well above us "mere mortals!"   At least in
the 60's when I was there...

Garey - K4OAH

W. Kranitz wrote:

>
> The "new" style white silicon grease is called "Type Z9"
> Silicon Heat Sink Compound. Some special application versions
> of this compound used beryllium oxide, but these were not available
> to us mear mortals. Most common versions use aluminum or zinc
> compounds. Some of the newer types use Micronized Silver (eg, DYNEX
> Silver Thermal Compound). These are used for the high heat transfer
> needed for modern microprocessors.
>
>
> Garey Barrell wrote:
>
>> Jerry -
>>
>> There are at least two types that I am aware of.
>>
>> The "old" style was clear silicone grease.
>>
>> The "new" style is white silicone grease loaded with beryllium oxide.
>>
>> Both work pretty much the same, the purpose being to fill any  TINY  air
>> pockets trapped between what ideally would be two "perfectly" flat
>> surfaces.  The idea is that the grease is a better at heat transfer than
>> air.  It is NOT a better conductor than metal, so a big blob of grease
>> isn't going to transfer much heat between two surfaces that don't
>> touch.!
>>
>> Proper use calls for only a VERY thin smear.  Most people use WAY too
>> much, which of course gets squeezed out when the two pieces are clamped
>> together.
>>
>> By the way, beryllium oxide DUST is considered very toxic if inhaled, so
>> I guess you wouldn't want to eat the stuff!
>>
>> 73, Garey - K4OAH
>> Atlanta
>>
>>
>> Jerry Seligman wrote:
>>
>>> A question came up in discussions with friends. Is the thermal grease
>>> used on power transistors, the same as the type used in computers
>>> (for example on the CPU chip)?
>>> Jerry W7BUN
>>>
>>
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>
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