Thermal interfacial materials (TIMs) are thermally conductive materials, which are applied to increase Thermal contact conductance across jointed solid surfaces, such as between microprocessors and heatsinks, in order to increase thermal transfer efficiency. These gaps are normally filled with air which is a very poor conductor.
They take many forms. The most common is the white-colored paste or thermal grease, typically silicone oil filled with aluminum oxide, zinc oxide, or boron nitride. Some brands of thermal interfaces use micronized or pulverized silver.
Another type of TIM are the phase-change materials. These are solid at room temperature but liquefy and behave like grease at operating temperatures. They are easy to handle and are not messy.
Famous quotes containing the word material:
“The only happy talkers are dandies who extract pleasure from the very perishability of their material and who would not be able to tolerate the isolation of all other forms of composition; for most good talkers, when they have run down, are miserable; they know that they have betrayed themselves, that they have taken material which should have a life of its own, to dispense it in noises upon the air.”
—Cyril Connolly (1903–1974)