
Thermal Resistance Network 87
Dielectric strength: Thermal interface materials may or may not be electri-•
cally insulating. Dielectric strength is a measure of electrical insulation of
an interface material. If one or both of the contacting surfaces are electri-
cally charged, they have to be electrically insulated from each other and a
high dielectric strength TIM will be required in these situations.
Long-term stability and reliability: Thermal interface materials will go •
through temperature cycles and have to survive other harsh operating con-
ditions. They should keep their properties such as thermal conductivity,
modulus ...