Wacker opens lab for silicone thermal interface materials in China

Munich – German chemical group Wacker Chemie AG has opened a global competence centre for thermal interface materials (TIMs) in Shanghai, China, the company announced 16 Sept. 

Located at the group's China headquarters, the new lab will conduct research into developing new silicone and silicone rubber-based TIM products for electrical vehicles, consumer electronics and telecommunication applications.

According to Wacker, thermal interface materials have been one of the fastest growing segments of the materials market over the past 10 years, with an average compound annual growth rate of more than 6%. 

Widely used in personal computers, consumer electronics, automotive and telecommunication industries, the demand for silicone-based TIMs is expected to grow continuously, Wacker said. 

Such materials, according to Wacker, help with the efficient thermal management of electronic devices and batteries, which generate a great deal of heat that impacts their functionality and service life.

“For improved thermal management of components, the industry is increasingly turning to heat-dissipation materials”, explained Christian Gimber, head of engineering silicones at Wacker’s silicone division. 

Wacker, he said, offers “very efficient” thermally conductive silicones that meet the stringent and rising safety and reliability requirements imposed by the electronics and automotive industries.

With the new lab, Gimber said, Wacker will be able to “significantly improve” its capability of fundamental research for such materials and develop tailor-made products to support customers.