Is thermal grease the same as thermal paste?

 Is thermal grease the same as thermal paste?

Many customers often don't know the difference between thermal grease and thermal paste. Therefore, they don't know how to choose when purchasing. It is easy to confuse thermal grease and thermal paste. Thermal grease and thermal paste are only literal differences, and they are both thermally conductive materials, but their characteristics are still quite different. If they are misused, the consequences will be grave.

What is thermal grease?

Thermal grease, also known as thermal paste, is the most widely used thermal conductive medium, and the material is liquid paste. It uses silicone oil as raw material and adds fillers such as thickeners. It is an ester-like substance formed after heating, decompression, grinding, and other processes. The substance has a specific viscosity and no apparent graininess. It can effectively fill various gaps; the primary application environment is between high-power heating components and radiators.

Thermal grease has no adhesive properties and will not dry and solidify. It is produced with a unique formula and composed of metal oxides with good thermal conductivity, insulation, and organosiloxane. The product has excellent thermal conductivity, good electrical insulation, a wide operating temperature (working temperature -50 ° C ~ 340 ° C), good use stability.
Features:
1) High performance and effective cooling; thermal grease has good thermal conductivity, which can effectively reduce the CPU temperature, ensure the effective operation of the miner, and prolong the service life of the miner.
2) High safety, use with confidence; insulation and environmental protection, high-pressure resistance, high and low-temperature resistance.
3) Rapid conduction cooling; high thermal conductivity gives you a smooth experience that you have never had before.
4) Easy to use and quick to use; using a spatula, grease is easy to apply.

What is thermal paste?

Thermal paste, also called Antminer thermosetting adhesive, is a thermosetting resonant adhesive that functions to cool and bond electronic devices. After curing, it is closely attached to its contact surface to reduce thermal resistance, which is beneficial to the heat conduction between the heat source and its surrounding heat sinks, motherboards, metal shells, and outer casings. It has the advantages of high thermal conductivity, good insulation performance, and ease to use. It has good adhesion to metals such as copper, aluminum, and stainless steel. The curing form is dealcoholized, and it does not corrode metal and non-metal surfaces.

Features:
1) Thermal interface material, which will be cured, has adhesive properties and high adhesive strength;
2) After curing, it has impact resistance and vibration resistance;
3) The cured product has good thermal conductivity and heat dissipation function;
4) Excellent high and low-temperature resistance and electrical properties.
There is only one-word difference between the two, and they are both thermally conductive materials, but they are entirely different things. Thermal grease has a broader scope of application. It is suitable for almost any heat dissipation condition. Because the thermal paste is difficult to remove once glued, it is mainly used in occasions that only require one-time bonding, such as miner heat sinks, etc.
What's the difference between thermal paste and thermal grease?
Different thermal conductivity
The thermal conductivity of thermal grease is between 0.3 to 1.0, and the thermal conductivity of thermal paste is between 0.6 to 1.5, so the application scenarios are different.

Different insulating properties

The insulating properties of thermal grease are very general, and metal powder is added during the manufacturing process, limiting the insulating properties' performance to a certain extent. Nevertheless, thermal paste has good insulating properties. It is more suitable for industries that require high insulating properties, such as new energy, military, medical, aviation, ships, electronics, automobiles, instruments, power supply, high-speed rail, and other industries.
Different heat conduction effects
The thermal resistance of thermal grease is minimal and far superior to similar thermal grease sheets. However, thermal paste is more thermally conductive and slightly better than thermal grease.
Different curing conditions
Thermal grease has no adhesion and will never cure. However, thermal paste is different; it has a certain adhesiveness and can be cured at room temperature.
Different operating temperatures
Thermal grease is generally resistant to high temperatures and can be used from -50°C to 300°C. Thermal paste can work from -250°C to 50°C.
Different uses
Thermal grease is suitable for filling between the heat sink and the CPU. Thermal paste is suitable for electronic components-related industries and plays the role of sealing and potting.