Heatsink compound

[Z]

Are there (electrically) conductive and non conductive heatsink
compounds?

Need to re-apply to drivers on battery drill after replacement presume
it is electrically conductive as no mica film or fancy washers.

What ould e shelf-life of heatsink compound? Ditto operational life
assuming not overheating?

 

[Jfet]

Typically it lasts a long time.

The compound is a terrible insulator, but an excellent heat conductor.

It seems to dry out over the years, but when sandwiched between a transistor and heatsink,
it should be fine.

I haven't used up my tube in years, and it is still ok.

Maybe the transistors you have are isolated tab, which aren't the best for heat
dissapation, but you don't need to isolate them from your heatsink.

 

[Jason D.]

Typically it lasts a long time.

The compound is a terrible insulator, but an excellent heat conductor.

It seems to dry out over the years, but when sandwiched between a transistor and heatsink,
it should be fine.

I haven't used up my tube in years, and it is still ok.

Maybe the transistors you have are isolated tab, which aren't the best for heat
dissapation, but you don't need to isolate them from your heatsink.

On those that has metallic backside exposed, get thermal pads (mica or
rubbery si-pads and smear thin coat of heatsink compound on both
sides.

Cheers,

Wizard

 

[Z]

Are there (electrically) conductive and non conductive heatsink
compounds?

Need to re-apply to drivers on battery drill after replacement presume
it is electrically conductive as no mica film or fancy washers.

What ould e shelf-life of heatsink compound? Ditto operational life
assuming not overheating?

The heatsink compound I got in the end was electrolube RHTSP which I
have finally go round to trying tonight. It had the best thermal
conductivity figure of the ones I looked at.
Thanks all.