Beware of Hidden Dangers of Inferior Thermal Grease, Focus on Four Core Indicators When Purchasing

Recently, multiple cases of hardware damage caused by inferior thermal grease have been exposed in the industry. Some low-cost substandard thermal grease adopts irregular formulas and poor-quality raw materials, which will cause problems such as radiator corrosion, high-temperature hardening and permanent adhesion during use, resulting in economic losses for users. Industry experts remind buyers to stay away from inferior products and pay close attention to four core indicators when selecting thermal grease.

Most inferior thermal grease is made of low-cost acidic raw materials. Some contain acetoxy-crosslinked RTV that releases acetic acid when exposed to moisture. It will not only corrode copper radiators and give off pungent vinegar odor, but also harden after repeated high-temperature thermal cycles, causing permanent adhesion between CPU, chips and heat sinks that cannot be separated, and even lead to severe hardware damage.

Experts suggest focusing on four key indicators for selection:

First, thermal conductivity, which directly determines heat dissipation efficiency. Products above 4W/(m·K) are recommended for high-power applications.

Second, thermal stability, to adapt to actual service temperature range and prevent oil bleeding and hardening under high temperature.

Third, non-corrosive property. Choose neutral formula to avoid damaging electronic hardware.

Fourth, low volatility, to reduce volatile substance precipitation and ensure long-term stable operation.

In addition, opt for qualified products from formal manufacturers with relevant certifications, and avoid cheap inferior thermal grease.