THERMAL CONTACT RESISTANCE

1) Reducing Thermal Contact resistance

a) The thermal contact resistance can be minimized by applying thermally conducting liquid called thermal grease such as silicon oil on the surfaces before they are pressed against each other. This is commonly done when attaching electronic components such as power transistors to heat sinks.

b) The thermal contact resistance can also be reduced by replacing the air at the interface by a better conducting gas such as helium or hydrogen

c) Another way to minimize the contact resistance is to insert a soft metallic foil such as tin, silver, copper, nickel, or aluminum between the two surfaces.