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Hello guys i've been lurking (jejeje) around for a year or so but haven't posted yet so this is my first post. I've found a comparison betwen the diferent application of thermal paste. It was done by a company calle Innovation cooling (they make diamond thermal paste) so here it is
Proper Application Method
Figure 1 - Correct application amount
Figure 1-Proper Application of an approximately 5.0-5.5 mm bead on center example on left utilizing a synthetic IHS. The primary reason we recommend a compression type spreading is that we have found that the best results are attained with a compression type spreading.
The grease spreads uniformly and minimizes the introduction of air bubbles in to the thermal interface joint, a potential cause of grease failure that will affect long term reliability which can be observed in the following examples
Figure 2 - Full mount coverage
Figure 2-Here we have the simulated IHS clamped between two slides with 50 psi force applied with the 5.0mm-5.5mm bead application spread pattern by compression.
Simulated mount was heated heated in an oven @ 100C for 20 min to flow the compound. Paste is smooth and even with no visible air pockets.
Wrong Methods With an Explanation
Figure 3 - Example of Air Pocket formation
In this example IC Diamond was applied between two glass slides and stress tested in an oven @ 150C for 20 hours. Applied 5mm bead of ICD. Photoshopped to highlight the air bubble halo.
Note the halo of air bubbles, this is why it is important to apply enough compound, because as the paste thins it spreads it reaches a maximum zone where air is reformed into the paste application between the sink and IHS
In essence you need enough compound to extend the air pocket zone outside the area of IHS contact
Figure 4 - Competition grease air pocket example
Not unique to IC Diamond Figure 4 is a compression spread of a popular competition compound to show the halo effect is not limited to IC Diamond. Demonstrated here between 2 glass slides and heated @ 125C for 1 hour clamped under pressure it shows initial void formation. The Slide moved a bit by accident, but the air pockets are still visible as the lighter gray spot just inboard of the outer edge.
Air pockets that were not visible in the initial application expanded under heat and pressure so the TIM Joint thickness now has an element of the mount riding on a cushion of air with the potential to affect thermal performance.
Figure 5 - Early grease failure
This is a second popular competition grease mounted between two glass slides and run @ 150C for 20 hours under accelerated testing.
Here the air pockets have migrated together and formed larger voids. the halo is still visible.
This effectively is an early failure of the compound.
Figure 6- Incorrect 3.5 mm bead application
This is approximately a 3.5 bead application and not enough to do the Job as it allows the air bubble zone to form inside TIM joint
Figure 7 - "Raw Halo" with trapped air
Here is the same 3.5 bead clamped between two slides. note the TIM application was light with the formation of the extensions which have closed in on itself creating the halo effect on the edges where the "flowers" or "extensions" have reformed trapping air. The "Raw Halo" is clearly visible
Figure 8- Full spread
Figure 8 is the commonly used method that covers the entire IHS
Figure 9 - Full spread with Air Pockets
Same application as above clamped between two glass slides note the white spots these are the initial air bubbles. Again the issue or problems with air bubbles is that air is very difficult to compress and will expand under heat and pressure which will displace the TIM with voids
Figure 10 - Incorrect line method
Line Application of IC Diamond. Generally single, multiple lines, multiple beads are not recommended as they have a tendency to introduce more air as the separate applications join together closing off opportunities for the air to escape.
Figure 11 - Incorrect line spread
Line application Of IC Diamond between two glass slides shows good coverage top to bottom, however side to side the formation of cauliflower like extensions that can be seen to be closing or reforming in on itself trapping air.
Figure 12 - Example of manual grease wetting
Application Recommendation
A component to paste application to be mindful of is the roughness of the mating surfaces. If you have only lapped up to an 800 grit or less it may be necessary to manually wet the surface the surfaces prior to applying a bead of compound. In this example a light haze of compound was applied to push out any air bubbles or air pockets that may have found purchase in scratches or surface finish
So this it the original link i stracted it : http://www.innovationcooling.com/applicationinstructions.htm
All the copyright belong to them i don't held any of these nor i made any of these test just posting them here as a matter of study and comparison
Tnx all (forgive me if i mispeled something im slowly lossing my english without everyday usage
)
PS: it would also be great to test the different temperatures from each application but im sorry i can't do that because the artic silver 5grms in here (venezuela) cost 50$ and i can't realy afford that (yeah i know it only cost 5$ but our economy it's a long story to tell)
Proper Application Method
Figure 1 - Correct application amount
Figure 1-Proper Application of an approximately 5.0-5.5 mm bead on center example on left utilizing a synthetic IHS. The primary reason we recommend a compression type spreading is that we have found that the best results are attained with a compression type spreading.
The grease spreads uniformly and minimizes the introduction of air bubbles in to the thermal interface joint, a potential cause of grease failure that will affect long term reliability which can be observed in the following examples
Figure 2 - Full mount coverage
Figure 2-Here we have the simulated IHS clamped between two slides with 50 psi force applied with the 5.0mm-5.5mm bead application spread pattern by compression.
Simulated mount was heated heated in an oven @ 100C for 20 min to flow the compound. Paste is smooth and even with no visible air pockets.
Wrong Methods With an Explanation
Figure 3 - Example of Air Pocket formation
In this example IC Diamond was applied between two glass slides and stress tested in an oven @ 150C for 20 hours. Applied 5mm bead of ICD. Photoshopped to highlight the air bubble halo.
Note the halo of air bubbles, this is why it is important to apply enough compound, because as the paste thins it spreads it reaches a maximum zone where air is reformed into the paste application between the sink and IHS
In essence you need enough compound to extend the air pocket zone outside the area of IHS contact
Figure 4 - Competition grease air pocket example
Not unique to IC Diamond Figure 4 is a compression spread of a popular competition compound to show the halo effect is not limited to IC Diamond. Demonstrated here between 2 glass slides and heated @ 125C for 1 hour clamped under pressure it shows initial void formation. The Slide moved a bit by accident, but the air pockets are still visible as the lighter gray spot just inboard of the outer edge.
Air pockets that were not visible in the initial application expanded under heat and pressure so the TIM Joint thickness now has an element of the mount riding on a cushion of air with the potential to affect thermal performance.
Figure 5 - Early grease failure
This is a second popular competition grease mounted between two glass slides and run @ 150C for 20 hours under accelerated testing.
Here the air pockets have migrated together and formed larger voids. the halo is still visible.
This effectively is an early failure of the compound.
Figure 6- Incorrect 3.5 mm bead application
This is approximately a 3.5 bead application and not enough to do the Job as it allows the air bubble zone to form inside TIM joint
Figure 7 - "Raw Halo" with trapped air
Here is the same 3.5 bead clamped between two slides. note the TIM application was light with the formation of the extensions which have closed in on itself creating the halo effect on the edges where the "flowers" or "extensions" have reformed trapping air. The "Raw Halo" is clearly visible
Figure 8- Full spread
Figure 8 is the commonly used method that covers the entire IHS
Figure 9 - Full spread with Air Pockets
Same application as above clamped between two glass slides note the white spots these are the initial air bubbles. Again the issue or problems with air bubbles is that air is very difficult to compress and will expand under heat and pressure which will displace the TIM with voids
Figure 10 - Incorrect line method
Line Application of IC Diamond. Generally single, multiple lines, multiple beads are not recommended as they have a tendency to introduce more air as the separate applications join together closing off opportunities for the air to escape.
Figure 11 - Incorrect line spread
Line application Of IC Diamond between two glass slides shows good coverage top to bottom, however side to side the formation of cauliflower like extensions that can be seen to be closing or reforming in on itself trapping air.
Figure 12 - Example of manual grease wetting
Application Recommendation
A component to paste application to be mindful of is the roughness of the mating surfaces. If you have only lapped up to an 800 grit or less it may be necessary to manually wet the surface the surfaces prior to applying a bead of compound. In this example a light haze of compound was applied to push out any air bubbles or air pockets that may have found purchase in scratches or surface finish
So this it the original link i stracted it : http://www.innovationcooling.com/applicationinstructions.htm
All the copyright belong to them i don't held any of these nor i made any of these test just posting them here as a matter of study and comparison
Tnx all (forgive me if i mispeled something im slowly lossing my english without everyday usage
)PS: it would also be great to test the different temperatures from each application but im sorry i can't do that because the artic silver 5grms in here (venezuela) cost 50$ and i can't realy afford that (yeah i know it only cost 5$ but our economy it's a long story to tell)
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