Thermal conduction characteristics of silicone composites including ultrasonic-treated graphite

Abstract

The microstructural change of graphite was studied after ultrasonic treatment of the graphite. When the graphite solution was treated with varying ultrasonic power and time, the microstructure changed gradually, and accordingly, the thermal conductivity characteristics of the composite containing the as-treated graphite was also different with each other. Thermal conductivity showed the best result in the silicone composite containing graphite prepared under the optimum condition of ultrasonic treatment, and the thermal conductivity of the composite improved proportionally along with the particle size of graphite. When the silicone composite was prepared by using a mixture of inorganic oxides and graphite rather than graphite alone, the thermal conductivity of the silicone composite was further increased. A silicone composite containing graphite was used for LED (light emitting diode) lighting system as a thermal interface material (TIM), and the temperature elevation due to heat generated, while the lighting was actually operated, was analyzed.