Thermal resistance stabilities of optimally-filled contacts

A prediction of the optimal, solf-filler, thickness required in order to minimise the thermal contact resistance of pressed solid contacts has been verified by experimental measurements. Detailed design specifications for thermal assemblies often require accurate knowledge of the contact resistances involved. It is also desirable that in service, these resistances should by normally stable but resilient if they are to be subjected to changing loads and thermal cycling. This paper reports experimental data which supports the contention that optimally-filled joints experiencing off-design perturbations are thermally stable.