Thermal conductive silicone cloth can indeed exhibit creep under prolonged pressure, a characteristic stemming from the molecular chain structure of its polymer material. When the thermal conductive silicone cloth is continuously subjected to pressure, the internal silicone rubber molecular chains undergo slow relative slippage due to external forces, leading to gradual irreversible deformation. This creep not only reduces the thickness of the thermal conductive silicone cloth, affecting its fit with heat dissipation components, but may also cause edge overflow, increased contact thermal resistance, and ultimately weaken overall heat dissipation efficiency.
The molecular structure of the material is the core factor affecting creep performance. The elastic recovery ability of thermal conductive silicone cloth mainly depends on the flexibility and cross-linking density of the silicone rubber molecular chains. If the molecular chains are too rigid or the cross-linking density is unbalanced, the material is prone to permanent deformation under pressure. By optimizing the formulation design and appropriately increasing the amount of hydrogen-containing silicone oil, the elastic recovery ability of the molecular chains can be improved while maintaining low hardness, thereby enhancing creep resistance. This molecular-level adjustment can effectively reduce the accumulation of deformation under long-term pressure.
The dispersion state of the thermally conductive powder has a significant impact on creep behavior. As a filled composite material, the powder gradation and surface modification in thermal conductive silicone cloth directly determine the magnitude of internal resistance. The steric hindrance caused by powder accumulation and the interaction forces between the powder and silicone rubber hinder structural recovery after creep. By optimizing powder selection, shape, and gradation, and appropriately modifying the powder surface, internal resistance can be significantly reduced, making the material more likely to recover its original shape under pressure, thereby inhibiting performance degradation caused by creep.
Ambient temperature and pressure conditions are external factors that accelerate creep. High temperatures accelerate the aging process of silicone rubber materials, increasing molecular chain mobility and exacerbating creep; while continuous high pressure directly promotes molecular chain slippage, leading to an accelerated deformation rate. Therefore, in applications of thermally conductive silicone cloth, it is necessary to strictly control the operating temperature range to avoid prolonged exposure to extreme high-temperature environments, and to prevent excessive creep caused by localized stress concentration through reasonable pressure distribution design.
Addressing the limitations of traditional filled structures, the novel composite thermal conductive silicone cloth achieves a breakthrough in creep resistance through material innovation. The highly oriented structure constructed using high thermal conductivity materials such as carbon fiber and graphene not only increases the silicone rubber content but also effectively overcomes the effects of thermal creep by enhancing elastic driving force. This structure allows the material to maintain high thermal conductivity while also possessing high insulation and high flexibility, significantly improving long-term reliability and providing a superior solution for demanding heat dissipation scenarios.
The installation process has a significant impact on the creep performance of thermal conductive silicone cloth. Using a torque wrench or spring screws for fixing ensures uniform pressure distribution, preventing silicone extrusion or equipment deformation caused by localized overpressure. Proper installation reduces initial stress concentration, thereby lowering the probability of creep. Furthermore, regularly checking the deformation state of the thermal conductive silicone cloth and adjusting the pressure distribution promptly are also key measures to maintain long-term performance stability.
Storage conditions also affect the creep resistance of thermal conductive silicone cloth. Long-term compression or heavy stacking can cause irreversible deformation of the material, affecting its original properties. Therefore, a layered protection method should be used during storage to ensure that each piece of thermal conductive silicone cloth maintains its independent shape and avoids pre-stress caused by external compression. A good storage environment can effectively extend the service life of materials, reduce performance loss before use, and provide reliable protection for subsequent applications.
