Microscopy and surface analysis
Smearing under pressure helps with the paste to identify the “tear-off edges” and therefore also the adhesion. Of course, this is not possible with the pads, but here too, possible streaks, graininess and the condition of the edges are interesting. Please click on the pictures for a full image:
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We can now see all the tested products at 1000x magnification and with an additional particle measurement, although this is difficult with such tough polymers because you can only see the surface. Again, please click for full screen:
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Material analysis
Now let’s take a closer look at what’s actually inside and what’s not. We find a 2:1 mixture of aluminum and zinc for the thermally conductive particles, the rest is PTM. The particles account for over 70% of the mass weight, which is excellent.
With the paste PTM7950SP I now even find a 3:1 mixture of aluminum and zinc for the thermally conductive particles, the rest is PTM. The particles account for around 80% of the total weight, but the Al2O3 particles are quite coarsely ground. The pad itself looked better because it was more balanced and finer. This is certainly also the reason for the slightly poorer performance.
The Thermalright Heilos also has more aluminum oxide than zinc oxide on board, but the particles are significantly coarser. This is why the measured performance is unfortunately only mediocre. Coarser particles save a lot of money in production.
The cheap PCM5000 is based on aluminum oxide and zinc oxide as well as a polymer that I unfortunately cannot analyze. But you can see from the surface structure that it is not really homogeneous. This is also proven by the measurement results of this very dark pad, which, sorry for the derogatory expression, looks like swept up dirt.
The lighter PCM8500 is a relief for the eyes, because with almost 80% fillers, which are not so coarsely ground, you can already do something, as the results have also shown.
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