Olefin Block Composite Thermal Conductivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current thermally conductive materials for heat management in electronic and telecommunication applications, such as thermal interface materials and injection-moldable components, require further improvement in thermal conductivity to effectively dissipate heat from microelectronics and data infrastructure devices.

Innovation Solution

A thermally conductive material comprising an olefin block composite and a thermally conductive filler, where the filler increases the thermal conductivity of the olefin block composite, potentially by 10% to 1000%, achieving thermal conductivities of up to 4 W/m·K, suitable for use in thermal interface materials and molded heat-dissipation components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If thermally conductive fillers are added to olefin block composite, then thermal conductivity is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal conductivityVSAvoidmaterial composition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials principle by combining olefin block composite with thermally conductive fillers (such as aluminum oxide, aluminum nitride, boron nitride, or zinc oxide) to create a new material system that achieves enhanced thermal conductivity (up to 4 W/m·K) while maintaining processability through optimized filler content ranges (1-40 wt%)

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Temperature

If high filler content is used to increase thermal conductivity, then heat dissipation capability is improved, but material processability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal conductivityVSAvoidmelt flow rate
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes principle by optimizing the filler content within specific ranges (1-40 wt%) and adjusting processing parameters (melt temperature, molding pressure) to balance thermal conductivity enhancement with maintainable processability, ensuring the composite can still be effectively molded and processed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Temperature

If thermally conductive materials are used in high-power electronic devices, then heat dissipation is improved, but temperature resistance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation capabilityVSAvoidtemperature resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials principle by selecting inorganic filler materials (aluminum oxide, aluminum nitride, boron nitride, zinc oxide) that inherently possess high thermal conductivity and temperature stability, combining them with olefin block composite to create a material that can withstand elevated operating temperatures while effectively dissipating heat

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The material effectively enhances heat dissipation capabilities, addressing the growing challenge of managing heat in high-power electronic devices by providing improved thermal conductivity and temperature resistance, making it suitable for advanced heat management applications.

Implementation Method 1

a thermally conductive filler, wherein said thermally conductive filler is present in an amount sufficient to provide said thermally conductive material with a higher thermal conductivity relative to said olefin block composite in its neat state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3212698B1Olefin block composite thermally conductive materials
Publication Date: 2021.10.06 DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

Thermally conductive materials comprising an olefin block composite and a thermally conductive filler, where the thermally conductive filler is present in an amount sufficient to increase the thermal conductivity of the olefin block composite relative to the olefin block composite in its neat state. Such thermally conductive materials can be used in various articles of manufacture, such as a thermal interface material or a molded heat dissipation component.