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Anyone knows this type of insulation pads for TO220

post #1 of 11
12/11/09 at 7:15am
Thread Starter 
Hi Guys,

I'm about to finish my Sigma11 (everything ready, including the case) just need to make sure the heat-sinks aren't live so they wont short to the case. I went to a local store and all they had was these pads:



I was wondering if anyone has ever used these. I haven't seen these before, and not sure if they are any good.

Thanks.
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post #2 of 11
12/11/09 at 7:32am
Mylar film by the look of it - use thermal compound for efficient heat transfer, those things will support MUCH higher heat than the components.
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post #3 of 11
12/11/09 at 7:58am
I thought those were mica insulators.

How good/bad are they for heat dissipation when the component also needs to be isolated?
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post #4 of 11
12/11/09 at 8:05am
Thread Starter 
Indeed the seller told me these are mica. Any idea how good are they? Should I use them or wait and buy the usual type?
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post #5 of 11
12/11/09 at 8:11am
My mistake - it's Mica; same description though - use thermal compound, they'll stand up to HUGE amounts of heat before breaking down = safe.
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post #6 of 11
12/11/09 at 8:21am
Thread Starter 
Any idea how good they are in terms of conducting the heat? Is the thermal resistance higher than standard pads?
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post #7 of 11
12/11/09 at 4:53pm
Well those are pretty much the "standard", been around forever.
They dont conduct heat as well as a thermasil II pad, thats why you will have to use a thermal paste with the mica. They do work great. Since you got 'em use 'em.
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post #8 of 11
12/11/09 at 7:17pm
Yeah, the guys are right - the Mica is substantial and will do fine so long as you use a heat transfer compound on both sides (put it on the transistor and the heat sink, though).

However, those look like cheap nylon shoulder washers. They'll distort under too much torque and will creep or worse under high heat. Better to use some Aavid polysulfide glass-filled ones, if you can.
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post #9 of 11
12/12/09 at 3:06am
Thread Starter 
I'll try getting some better washers. Thank you all.
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post #10 of 11
12/12/09 at 1:50pm
The Mica insulators are a very very good insulator !
Probably the best !
Nowadays, it is less used because of thermal compound that should be add
and is it very messy.
The mica fear less heat than the semiconductors !
The mica is an excellent electrical insulator, it is not for nothing that the best capacitors used as insulation.
KT88, you can use it !
Mica is natural, is near to free, it's insulating performance is excellent, it's heat transfert is excellent, it's just a little messy. But, it's for DIY, not ?


Frex.
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post #11 of 11
12/12/09 at 1:53pm
Thread Starter 
Thank Frex. I will use these. Just waiting to get some other washers.
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