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What are Thermal Management Materials?
Thermal management materials are materials that manage heat generated by batteries, electronic components, motors and other devices. These materials are designed to dissipate heat efficiently and effectively, to prevent overheating and ensure the reliable operation of electronic devices.
There are several types of thermal management materials, also known as thermal interface materials (TIMS), including thermal adhesives, gap fillers, potting, encapsulants, gels, greases and foams.
Overall, thermal management materials play a critical role in ensuring the reliable operation of electronic devices by managing the heat generated by these devices.
Benefits of Thermal Management
- Improved Reliability: Thermal management materials help to dissipate heat generated by electronic components, which can help to prevent overheating and improve the reliability of the device.
- Increased Performance: If heat is mismanaged, electric components can experience performance degradation. Thermal management allows for effective cooling, leading to improved performance.
- Longer Lifespan: Without thermal management, overheated electronic components can fail prematurely, leading to costly repairs or replacement.
- Energy Efficiency: Applications that produce high heat can also consume more energy. Thermal management can dispel heat effectively, reducing energy consumption and improving sustainability.
- Improved Safety: By using thermal management materials to dissipate heat, the risk of overheating, thermal runaway, and associated safety hazards are reduced.
Featured Products & Solutions
Parker Lord's CoolTherm thermal management portfolio is recognized for reliability and custom solutions for use in electric vehicles, energy storage systems, motors, EV charging stations and other power electronics. CoolTherm solutions increase performance, reliability, and safety while delivering tailored products to manage heat and increase power density in electric vehicles. These products boast high thermal conductivity and low viscosity, which lends itself to a variety of product applications.
Liquid-Dispensed Gap Fillers
Learn how our liquid dispense thermally conductive gap fillers can be used to replace thermal pads.
Thermally Conductive Adhesives
CoolTherm adhesives couple high-bond strength with thermal conductivity for ease of use and cost-savings.
Potting & Encapsulation
Optimize heat dissipation with high thermal conductivity and low viscosity.
Low Density Foams
These products are low density, low viscosity two-component encapsulant systems.
Applications for Thermal Management Materials
Battery Packs
As battery technology evolves towards increased energy density, the ability to manage heat during charge and discharge cycles is crucial for optimizing performance. Our CoolTherm thermal management materials are fully customizable and compatible with cylindrical, pouch and prismatic battery cells.
Charging Systems
CoolTherm adhesives improve heat flow in inductors and transformers and optimize performance during charging & discharging. With low viscosity, these adhesives flow easily crevices, enabling better impregnation of irregularly-shaped magnetic components and helping to reduce inductor hum.
Electric Motors
Thermally-conductive epoxy and silicone encapsulants help with heat dissipation, which enables you to increase the power density and life of your electric motor. Our studies have shown a temperature decrease of up to 50°C or an increase in power output up to 30% when using CoolTherm materials.
Power Electronics
Protect components and improve stability - in order to extend the life of your power electronics, you need to maintain low thermal resistance and protect components from shock, moisture, and debris. CoolTherm gap fillers are robust thermal interface materials that protect delicate electrical components and provide excellent isolation and vibration dampening.
Infotainment Devices
Infotainment devices are the main source of information for EV drivers when it comes to entertainment, navigation, feedback from the vehicle, cabin comfort, and more. Since there are so many small electronics housed behind one screen, these circuit boards must stay cool, especially when packed into a tight space.
Find a Thermal Management Material
We have a portfolio of thermal management solutions fit for electrification applications in EVs and electrified technologies. With an expert team of application engineers, we can help you select the correct adhesive and optimize your process to improve performance and lower costs.
Solutions Dedicated to Improving Electric Vehicles
We’ve adapted to support the growing electric vehicle market and re-branded our thermal management materials under the brand name CoolTherm®. This product line includes gap fillers, potting & encapsulation materials, thermally conductive adhesives and gels & greases.
Industries We Serve
While the core of our business is with automotive OEMs and tier suppliers of electric vehicles, our technology can help electrify a variety of other transportation and industrial types. If you're working on the future of electrification, contact our team to see how our thermal management materials can work in your unique design.
Passenger Cars & SUVs
Our materials and expertise are why we work with nearly every OEM around the world to bring their designs to life. With nearly a decade of EV expertise & global expansion, we support our customers in their efforts to electrify new models.
Off-Highway & Industrial
Our solutions enable the electrification of backhoes, excavators, bulldozers, graders and other earthmoving equipment. Electric equipment reduces noise, service times and emissions compared to diesel engines.
Fleet Vehicles
From Heavy-duty trucks to buses, electric fleets are on the rise. Our thermal management solutions help enable fast charging and wireless charging capabilities for these fleets.
Recreational & Marine
Our innovative solutions facilitate the transition to electric power in recreational and marine vehicles, allowing for reduced vibration and a more eco-friendly alternative to traditional internal combustion engine designs.
Electronic Materials
Transfer heat out of electronic devices and protect sensitive electronics with thermally conductive adhesives, gap fillers and foams.
Energy Storage
Whether you're seeking solutions for a compact residential battery setup or a large-scale commercial energy storage facility, we provide a range of proven, high-quality materials to meet your specific needs.
Aerospace
Among electric aircraft, there is little standardization in the design of the most critcal component - battery packs. By working closely with our team, you will find a product for your toughest design challenges.
Two & Three Wheelers
With the growth of electric vehicles around the world showing no sign of slowing both two- and three-wheelers are at the forefront. e-Scooters are lightweight, carbon-efficient and can maneuver through congested traffic.
Focus on Quality
Expect the Same Level Quality Around the Globe
We provide products and services that consistently meet customer expectations of quality and value. A central element of our culture is an unwavering commitment to quality and continuous improvement. Our thermal management team is certified and registered to ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 which guides our focus on producing the highest quality products.
Global Manufacturing
We are, where you are
As electric vehicle platforms ramp up, so do our customer's expectations of an ideal supplier. You expect high performance and consistent quality from your suppliers and this is where we thrive. We have manufacturing facilities around the world that follow standardized processes for material development, which enables us to get you products in a timely and cost-effective manner. We've expanded our capabilities to manufacture in China, Europe, and the United States.
Not sure which thermal management solution you need? Talk with one of our experts.
Call Us at 877-275-5673
Whitepaper: Thermal Adhesives for Next Generation Battery Packs
With the significant growth and development of battery pack technologies, manufacturers of Electric Vehicles (EVs) are placing an increased emphasis on pack design optimization. Read more about the shift to cell to pack battery design and the required assembly materials.
Whitepaper: Battery Cooling Performance
A study is conducted to compare thermal performance in battery modules using different thermal interface materials (TIMs) to connect the battery cells to a cooling plate. CoolTherm® liquid-dispense gap fillers are compared with thermal gap pads of comparable thermal conductivity. Download our whitepaper to see the trade-offs of using one versus the other.
Gap Fillers for Thermal Management: Part One
Increased density means more heat is being created in smaller volumes, making thermal management a vital issue for battery pack performance and design.
Understanding Thermal Management Technical Terms
Whether you are new to the industry, just assigned to a new project, or looking to brush up on your knowledge, Parker Lord’s five-part educational series delivers a thorough study of thermal management.
FAQs
Expand each section below for answers to frequently asked questions on thermal management concepts, cure speed and more.