Thermoconductive Silicone Elastomer Peelability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional thermoconductive rubber materials used in electronic devices are difficult to fix between heat-generating elements and heat-radiating fins without screws or bolts, making disassembly and repair challenging due to their high hardness and permanent adhesive properties.

Innovation Solution

A hydrosilation-curable thermoconductive silicone elastomer composition is developed, comprising a cured body of alkylalkenylpolysiloxane, alkylhydrogenpolysiloxane, and a platinum catalyst, with reinforcement silica and thermoconductive inorganic powders, which provides a soft and tacky interface that can be easily peeled after prolonged use, eliminating the need for fasteners.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional thermoconductive rubber material is used, then thermal conductivity is achieved, but the material cannot be easily fixed or disassembled due to high hardness and permanent adhesion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal conductivityVSAvoiddisassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the silicone elastomer by controlling the content of phenyl groups (5-50 mol%) and using specific crosslinking agents to achieve optimal balance between adhesion and peelability while maintaining thermal conductivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system combining silicone elastomer base polymer, phenyl-containing compounds for adhesion control, crosslinking agents for strength, and thermoconductive fillers (alumina, silica, boron nitride) to achieve multiple functions simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If high hardness material is used for thermal conduction, then thermal performance is improved, but fixation without fasteners becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal performanceVSAvoidfixation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the hardness parameter of the silicone elastomer to a specific range (50-80 durometer) by controlling crosslinking density and phenyl group content, enabling the material to be soft enough for easy fixation yet rigid enough for thermal conduction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs the silicone elastomer to simultaneously provide thermal conduction, adhesive fixation, and controlled peelability functions, eliminating the need for separate fasteners while maintaining thermal performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Strength

If permanent adhesive connection is used, then assembly strength is improved, but disassembly for repair becomes impossible without breaking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive connection strengthVSAvoiddisassembly possibility
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces time-dependent and condition-dependent adhesive characteristics where the bond strength evolves during service (increasing with temperature cycling) but remains reversible under controlled peeling conditions, enabling both strong fixation and controlled disassembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the adhesive material to be recovered after use by controlling its peelability, allowing the silicone elastomer to be removed from heat-generating components for replacement or reuse without damaging the components themselves

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 elastomer achieves a balance of thermal conductivity and peelability, allowing for easy disassembly and repair of heat-generating and heat-radiating members without screws, while maintaining sufficient mechanical strength and thermal performance.

Implementation Method 1

a cured body of a hydrosilation-curable organopolysiloxane composition consisting of (A) an alkylalkenylpolysiloxane having at least two alkenyl groups in one molecule, (B) an alkylhydrogenpolysiloxane having at least two hydrogen atoms in one molecule and (C) a platinum metal type catalyst

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrosilation: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

a thermoconductive silicone elastomer that, when it is sandwiched in an adhered state between a heat-generating member and a heat-radiating member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS7956121B2Thermoconductive silicone elastomer, thermoconductive silicone elastomer composition and thermoconductive medium
Publication Date: 2011.06.07 DOW TORAY CO LTD

AI summary

A thermoconductive silicone elastomer comprising a silicone elastomer being a cured body of a hydrosilation-curable organopolysiloxane composition, a reinforcement fine silica powder, a thermoconductive inorganic powder, and an alkylphenylpolysiloxane that is liquid at room temperature. A hydrosilation-curable thermoconductive silicone elastomer composition comprising: a hydrosilation-curable organopolysiloxane composition, a reinforcement fine silica powder, a thermoconductive inorganic powder, and an alkylphenylpolysiloxane that is liquid at room temperature. A thermoconductive medium comprising the aforementioned thermoconductive silicone elastomer.