Thermally conductive glue: characteristics, a review of the best brands, how to do it yourself

How to use?

First of all, it is necessary to clean and degrease the surfaces to which the heat transfer adhesive will be applied. This can be done with acetone, gasoline or alcohol. Further, an adhesive solution is applied to the prepared surface at the rate of 1 square centimeter, no more than 1 ml of the substance. The parts are fixed and pressed for about 20-25 minutes. After that, it takes some time, namely 24 hours, to ensure a strong adhesion of the elements. After a day, the glue-treated object can be used.

It is simply irreplaceable in cases where it is not possible to use heat-resistant pastes and substrates. You can buy it in almost any radiator store, but if there is none nearby, then you can make heat-conducting glue with your own hands. This, of course, is not so simple, but it is quite possible.

Heat-conducting glue "Radial"

This adhesive is the most popular among the adhesives with a heat transfer function. This is due to a number of undoubted advantages of the solution. Firstly, the glue is resistant to the influence of such factors as the action of sunlight, changes in external natural conditions, high air humidity (moisture and water resistant). Secondly, the adhesive has a high viscosity and provides a high degree of adhesion to materials such as glass, plastic, ceramics and even metal. Thirdly, the "Radial" glue is very strong (for separation of 2.3 MPa and more). Plus, with this adhesive, you don't have to worry about rusting on aluminum, steel and silver parts.

The adhesive has high thermal conductivity and is resistant to really huge temperature changes. Its working area ranges from -60 to 300 degrees Celsius!

Composition for ferrites

What are ferrites? These are chemical compounds that have some magnetic properties, due to which they are widely used as magnetic elements in radio transmitting and radio receivers, as well as in automatic systems and computers. They are used to make antennas, memory parts, absorbers of electromagnetic waves, as well as cores, permanent magnets and other parts. Considering their wide range of applications, a heat-conducting adhesive has been created for them as well. Such solutions usually contain dimethacrylate or epoxy substances.

Terms of use

Any heat-conducting glue has its own rules of use, which must be known and applied in work. So how do you use heat transfer adhesive? This requires:

• the surfaces to be glued must be thoroughly degreased using acetone, alcohol or gasoline;
• apply a small amount of adhesive to the surface;
• press the parts to be glued for about 25 minutes;
• leave the parts at rest for about a day.

After 24 hours, the processed item can be used as intended. Thus, heat-conducting glue is simply necessary when working with radio and computer equipment. It is especially needed where it is not possible to use thermal paste: when installing radiators and other working parts. Due to their high tensile strength, such adhesives are often used to fasten parts in an upright position or on the side.

But in order for the composition to show all its consumer properties, it is very important to strictly adhere to the instructions for use.

Review of popular brands

When choosing a suitable thermally conductive solution, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the most popular brands.Products from top manufacturers are valued for their high quality and strong connection of components.

Manufacturers produce several types of thermally conductive adhesives under different brands, including natural and synthetic ones. The latter additionally contain plasticizers, which makes them resistant to moisture and frost. Both types of solutions are used for installation work with metal, ceramic and glass products. The difference between natural and synthetic solutions lies in the quality of the composition and the final cost.

"Radial"

Radial adhesive solution is suitable for mounting LEDs and heat-dissipating fittings to transistors and processors in situations where it is not possible to apply heat-conducting paste.

When applied, the "Radial" glue provides stable and high-quality heat dissipation without losing its characteristics at a temperature range from -60 to +300 degrees. A distinctive feature of the products of this brand is slow drying, which allows it to retain its plasticity for a long time after being squeezed out of the tube.

"AlSil"

Hot glue "AlSil" is a modern composition for screwless mounting of radiators, cooling systems and other structures where heat removal is required. Often, glue is used on memory cards in laptops and system units.

The composition is supplied in a syringe weighing about 3 g, which makes it convenient to apply to the work surface. The AlSil solution is economical because it can be applied from a syringe in a thin layer.

GD9980

The heat transfer compound GD9980 is used to displace accumulated air between the surface of the microcircuit and the base of the radiator. The heat dissipation property of the glue of this brand is less compared to the products of other manufacturers, but the GD9980 composition is capable of fixing parts on the processor with particular strength, attaching heatsinks to motherboards, RAM slots and video card microcircuits.

Description and purpose

Polyurethane is the basis of a product designed for fixing expanded polystyrene boards. With the help of foam glue, the insulation plates are fixed on the inner and outer walls of the house. No special skills are required for installation work. A non-specialist can work with a construction tool.

> The adhesive foam contains additives that increase adhesion, it is several times higher than that of classic polyurethane foam. Scope of glue-foam from the company "Macroflex":

• glue brick blocks;
• fix facing slabs made of stone, wood;
• fix plasterboard plates;
• glue window sills indoors and outdoors;
• fix thermal insulation materials to the facade, foundation.

Glue-foam is a new product. It was specially designed for bonding polystyrene and foam boards. Previously, agents with cement binders were used for this purpose. Aerosol polyurethane foam is used for gluing different materials:

• cardboard;
• plywood;
• GVL;
• Chipboard;
• drywall;

When using construction foam, work efficiency is increased. Operation of the product does not require additional equipment, water consumption, electricity consumption. There is no dirt or dust at the work site.

How to apply heat transfer adhesive?

The process of mounting diodes using glue consists of several stages:

1. Degrease all surfaces you will be working with using alcohol or acetone.
2. Apply a small amount of thermal conductive adhesive to the surface of the part to be cooled.
3. Applying force, press the part to be cooled to the surface and try to make translational circular movements to evenly distribute the glue over the entire surface of the part to be cooled on the radiator.
4. Fix the pressing for 3-4 minutes for better adhesion.
5. Let the mixture dry. The glue hardens after 20 minutes, but complete drying occurs only after a day.

Decoration with glue

Do-it-yourself transparent or colored hot melt glue can be turned not only into a fastener, but also into a decoration element. Simple and nondescript glass vases, treated with a hot-melt pattern on the outside, will sparkle with new colors and will impress your guests as an original work of your hands.

In the same way, you can draw three-dimensional figures and whole pictures on any household containers, boxes and simply on cardboard under a frame on the wall. Not any paint is suitable for coloring colorless glue - watercolor or gouache will quickly wipe off the surface. It is best to use acrylic-based paints or, as a last resort, nail polish.

Do-it-yourself hot-melt glue crafts are a great pastime with children, training them to be accurate, responsible and artistic. The main thing is not to leave children alone with turned on or just a warmed-up device.

Types of glue

Depending on the scope of application, heat-resistant glue is available in the form of universal formulations and specialized materials. Universal mixtures have average performance indicators.

Narrow glue:

• Heat-resistant adhesive for metal. Withstands heating up to 1250˚С. It is used for the point connection of metal elements, as well as metal with stone, ceramics, glass, brick.
• Refractory glue for stoves and fireplaces. Used for masonry structures and finishing works. Possesses the highest degree of heat resistance - more than 1300˚С and does not collapse under the influence of open fire.
• Glass adhesive. Basically, such a solution is used to repair household appliances with glass panels (ovens, microwave ovens, air ovens).
• Heat-resistant ceramic adhesive. Such an adhesive material is used for finishing stove and fireplace facades with tiles.

Depending on the composition, heat-resistant adhesives can be produced on the basis of:

• Epoxides. Such materials are available in the form of two-component mixtures. They have the greatest adhesion to difficult surfaces (glass, ceramics, wood, plastic, steel, aluminum).
• Silicone. Used to join materials in contact with food. In addition, silicone compounds have insulating properties and can be used as a sealant. They are sold in the form of syringes for assembly guns.
• Rubber. These substances are used to work with rubber elements and do not have ultra-high heat resistance (up to 120˚C). The low heating threshold is due to the thermal stability characteristics of rubber parts.
• Silicates. Silicate heat-resistant compound is used for repairing and sealing cracks in brick and masonry chimneys.

General rules of application

The surfaces to be glued are cleaned before applying the glue-foam. Remove dust, bitumen, grease, dirt. They work only with dry aerated concrete blocks.

Ultraviolet radiation affects the properties of the glue, therefore, after hardening, it is covered with a protective layer, a layer is applied on top:

• gypsum;
• paints;
• sealant.

Masonry

Glue-foam "Macroflex" is used to connect blocks of partition walls. The product is not intended for load-bearing walls. The masonry is made in blocks of the correct shape of the same size. Deviations in dimensions should not exceed 1 mm. Foam should not be used if the blocks are hollow. The base for the first row is leveled. It should be flat, strictly horizontal. Controlled using a building level. Glue-foam is applied to the ends of the block (vertical, horizontal) in strips, retreating from the edge of 3-5 cm. It is necessary to remove the unsuccessfully placed element within 1 minute.

During work, 3 minutes are taken as a reference point, this is the time during which several operations need to be performed:

• apply glue to all surfaces of the block;
• install it in place;
• easily tap the block from above to align it horizontally;
• check the horizontal level.

A wall folded with Macroflex glue-foam can be plastered after 2 hours.

Gypsum panels

First prepare the surface of the wall (ceiling). Remove remnants of previous finishes, wallpaper, paint. Prime if the surface quickly absorbs moisture, then proceed to the main work:

• put the panel on a flat surface;
• retreat from the horizontal edge 5 cm;
• squeeze out the first strip of Macroflex glue-foam, leading it parallel to the edge;
• apply subsequent strips in 15 cm increments, observing parallelism;
• place the last strip 5 cm from the edge.

For a quick and high-quality application of glue-foam, it is worth purchasing a specialized (professional) model of a gun. When installing a gypsum panel, you need:

• apply glue;
• install the panel in 3 minutes;
• press down the panel to the main surface, adjusting its position;
• hold for 5 minutes until the foam holds the materials together.

After 2 hours, you can start the next stage of work.

Window sills

Clean the surface of the window opening. Dirt and oil stains impair adhesion. You can remove them with white spirit. Squeeze glue foam onto the prepared window sill. Apply it in parallel stripes. For a firm fixation, 2-3 extruded tapes are enough.

Stair steps

When fastening steps to wooden spacers, the glue strips are applied parallel to the edge. For a narrow step, 2 spacers are enough. The wide one requires 3, 2 at the edges, one in the middle. When glue is applied, a standard distance of 10-15 cm is maintained between the strips. Within 3 minutes, the step is set in place, leveled, pressed. So that it does not rise up, they put a load weighing at least 10 kg on it. They remove it after 60 minutes.

Scope of application

Heat-resistant glue is in demand in everyday life everywhere. The wide range of applications makes it a versatile bonding agent.

Heat-resistant components are used for:

• Connection and assembly of metal elements without traditional welding.
• Installation of the heating system "Warm floor".
• Repair of heat-conducting glass equipment.
• As a heat-resistant sealant for filling gaps in chimneys of stoves and fireplaces.
• Facing works of fireplaces, stoves.
• For laying bricks in the construction of furnace structures and tandoors.

When laying the linings and substrates for furnace structures, different types of heat-resistant adhesives are required. When finishing with tiles, a substance with a high thermal conductivity up to 130˚C is used. And when laying open fires, refractory glue is required that can withstand 1350˚C.

• Fixing glass in ovens with electric and gas heating.
• Repair and fastening of car heating elements.
• Fastening elements made of plastic and graphite.
• Repair of oil radiators and central heating systems.

How to repair a chip on a windshield with your own hands

Chipped windshield? Looking to replace the glass? Do not hurry! Try the Windshield Repair Kit (WRK) and your windshield will last a long time.

WRK roster:

• a tube of special glue - 1pc .;
• discs with 2-sided tape - 2 pcs .;
• syringe for creating a vacuum - 1 pc .;
• nozzle for glue supply - 1pc .;
• scotch tape scraping knife - 1pc .;
• polyethylene plates - 2 pcs.

It is desirable to carry out the work in warm and sunny weather.

Windshield condition before repair:

Operating procedure:

1) with a thin steel needle we clean the chip from the remnants of glass in it, dirt and other debris;

2) with a brush (you can use an old toothbrush), we sweep out all the remnants;

3) we carry out the procedure for degreasing the chip and around it;

4) take one of the disks, remove the tape from one side and attach it with this side on the windshield, align the hole in the disc in the center of the chip, press the disc and iron it with force over the entire surface;

• 5) remove the tape from the outside of the disc and then tightly install the nozzle for pouring glue into the chip;
• 6) slowly pour the glue until it fills the entire chip and 3/4 of the height of the nipple of the nozzle;

7) screw the syringe to the nipple and create a vacuum by raising the stem and fixing it in the upper position. This removes the remaining air. Repeat the procedure several times within 10 minutes;

9) after another 20 minutes, everything is removed and the nozzle and disc are removed with the help of a knife;

10) if there are errors, then fill them with glue and put a plastic plate on top and iron it tightly. After 10 minutes, remove the plate, scrape off the remnants of the glue and be content with the result.

Windshield condition after repair:

Have a nice trip!

Safety engineering

To begin with, it is worth mentioning the safety measures when working using hot melt glue. With their own hands, many housewives have felt the danger of high temperatures in the kitchen and in everyday life, so you need to remember about safety.

The glue sticks to the skin and releases a significant amount of heat not only when it cools, but also when it hardens. Therefore, it can cause burns much deeper than a hot frying pan or stove, from which you can withdraw your hand in time, receiving minimal damage. Additionally, you should carefully read the instructions for the device and follow the recommendations indicated by the manufacturer.

General rules of application

The process of gluing parts directly depends on the composition. Some solutions need to be applied over the entire surface, while others must be applied exclusively by the dotting method. You also need to check in advance in what form the glue was created - a solution or a mixture. The liquid variety dries quickly, which can be difficult to use.

The nuances of using a thermally conductive solution depend on the type of surface on which the work is carried out. When connecting metal elements, you must adhere to a special technique, which involves a point effect on the working surface. An epoxy compound with synthetic plasticizers and additives is suitable for processing metal components. For ceramics, it is better to use a solution containing a combination of cement and sand, since this combination improves the plasticity indicator. It is recommended to work on a glass surface using glue with organic compounds, which help not to disturb the transparency of the material.

The general order of use is to follow simple steps in a sequential manner. Including:

1. The surfaces of the heat source and heat exchanger are pre-degreased with alcohol or acetone.
2. A small amount of the substance is applied to the prepared surfaces and the parts are fixed with an applied force for 15 minutes.
3. The product is left for a day to completely dry the solution.
4. The syringe with the substance is tightly closed after use.

Glue color classification

Let's deal with these colored sticks. It can't be that manufacturers just randomly add dyes. Indeed, there is a recommended international marking and here are the main types of rods for a heat gun:

Plain translucent cylindrical sticks are the most popular type of glue. Versatile, used for a wide variety of surfaces and materials, suitable for almost any hidden and open mounts.
Colored opaque rods differ from the universal ones only in color. It makes sense to purchase them for those who are engaged in crafts, children and florists. They allow you to disguise the bonding site to the overall color of the product without using additional coloring.
Black and gray stickers are intended for waterproofing areas, and are also used as electrical insulation

The non-shrinking and adhesive properties of the material are used in sealing window frames and in insulating current-carrying parts of electrical appliances.
White opaque rods are used specifically for gluing metal and glass, except, of course, universal adhesives painted in white, pay attention to the packaging.
Yellow or candle-like, wood-colored translucent sticks have better adhesion to the porous structure of wood or cardboard

In any case, not all manufacturers have yet come to common standards and it is necessary to check the technical properties of the glue by checking the packaging. There you can also find out the melting point of the material and the approximate temperature range of its use.

In electrical appliances, materials are often required that can withstand prolonged heating; in other cases, a non-rigid plastic fixation, such as silicone, for example, in the manufacture of hand tools, may be required. You also need to take into account the capabilities of your device for working with glue, so that the thermal gun has enough power to melt the material in the process.

Requirements for adhesives

In ordinary household conditions, joint compounds are resistant to temperatures of 35-50˚С on average. Requirements for their operational range of heat-resistant materials from +280 to 1400˚С.

In addition to high thermal loads, a heat-resistant adhesive must have the following qualities:

• Increased strength of joint seams and prevention of corrosion processes.
• High level of adhesion to materials of various densities.
• Resistance to mechanical and static loads. This property is achieved by the presence of quartz chips, cement and plasticizers in the substance.
• Maximum strength is achieved by short-term heating of the joint.
• Resistant to moisture, pressure, ultraviolet spectrum.
• Environmentally friendly connections. When heated, the seams should not emit toxic elements.

Additional recipes

Graphite dust is not the only component that can be used to make conductive adhesives. There are several more complex mixtures with better electrical conductivity or adhesive properties:

1. A mixture of silver powder (130 g) and graphite (12 g) are conductive components, and nitrocellulose (8 g), acetone (50 g) and rosin (3 g) act as binders. In the listed order, everything is mixed in a mortar until smooth and the glue is ready. If the glue thickens, then it must be diluted with acetone. This composition is more calculated as conductive - you should not expect that it will hold any parts like glue.
2. Graphite (30 g) and silver (70 g) powder, acetone (70 ml) and vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate (60 g) - after mixing, they become a syrupy conductive liquid with adhesive properties. Store in an airtight container so that acetone does not disappear. They also dilute the mixture if it thickens.
3. The powder from the graphite rod of the finger-type battery and the chain-lac are mixed until a creamy mixture is obtained.

Name confusion: circuit glue

For people associated with circuitry, the words "heat conductive glue" have the same meaning as "hot melt glue for radiators." It is very difficult to make such a material with your own hands, since chemical reactions are used here, and not a change in the state of aggregation of a substance under the influence of temperature.

It is impossible to compare hot melt glue for a gun and hot melt glue for LEDs, different in composition and purpose. With your own hands, it is possible to make the so-called glycerin cement from lead lithium and glycerin as a heat-conducting layer and an adhesive at the same time.

There are also proven industrial options for heat-resistant gluing materials, which, of course, are better to have in stock than to prepare hot glue with your own hands. Alsil-5 and Radial are the most famous brands among specialists. In addition, several types of heat-conducting rubber are produced. And how exactly heat-resistant glue is used should be read in the instructions.

Description and scope

Thermally conductive adhesive is designed for use in conditions of temperature changes. At high and low temperatures, the created compound does not lose its properties. The solution is indispensable for the installation of LED components, radiators and other electronics.

Due to the wide spectrum of action of the heat-conducting solution, it can be considered as a universal remedy. It is suitable for graphite, metal and plastic applications. Also, a high-quality result can be achieved when the substance is applied to glass and ceramic surfaces. Providing a strong bond, this type of adhesive is used in many industries.

Boiler based glue gun

Now we can be sure that the boiler will not burn out without water, but will only heat up to the required temperature. The next step will be to make a comfortable handle so as not to burn yourself on the heated device. The most affordable material for the handle is wood, but it is also afraid of high temperatures and you can use Teflon tape used in cooking to protect it.

As a working container for melting glue, you need to make a tube and a funnel from a tin can, connecting them together so that the edges of the funnel cover the tube. The diameter of the working crucible must be such that the funnel is tightly clamped by the coils of the boiler. We additionally reinforce the structure with copper wire and test the device on a suitable piece of glue stick. This design compensates for the absence of a feed lever with an incredible "omnivorous", that is, the tool is suitable for any type of hot melt glue, regardless of its melting point.

Characteristic

In appearance, an adhesive mass of a viscous, homogeneous consistency of a white shade. Does not have a pronounced odor. Produced in a tube with a plastic cap. It is screwed tightly to prevent air from entering, convenient for further storage. When using for the first time, you need to pierce the protection at the tip of the tube.

Thermal conductive adhesive is designed for fastening parts that are subject to rapid heating to radiators.

Main characteristic:

• complete water resistance;
• not exposed to direct sunlight;
• resistant to atmospheric phenomena;
• excellent adhesion to plastic, metal, ceramic, glass surfaces;
• sufficient viscosity;
• thermal conductivity up to 0.8 W / m * k;
• operating temperature -60 - +300 degrees;
• does not contain toxic compounds;
• does not have a negative impact on the body, the environment;
• does not contribute to the development of rust on metal coatings;
• strength, tightness of the connection.

Advantages of hot melt glue:

• separation resistance (strength 1.2 MPa);
• fast initial setting, final drying (0.5-1 hour);
• correction, defect correction within 10 minutes;
• the connection remains strong for about ten years, while maintaining its original properties;
• the quality of the layer is not affected by temperature drops;
• work is carried out at a temperature of -10 - +35 degrees;
• the maximum operating temperature is +750 degrees.

The disadvantages in the application include a short correction time, seam stiffness, and no shrinkage.