Lab-metal
- Thread starter bhds
- Start date
Lab Metal is a metal filled plastic product and behaves about like you would expect a plastic material to. Go to your link and open the PDF brochure for Lab Metal. It is not considered electricaly conductive and thermal conductivity is listed as "Est. 1-2 BTU per sq. ft., per hr., per degree F". I don't have a figure for copper or aluminium handy, but my gut says Lab Metal is a poor thermal conductor in comparison.
bhds
Enlightened
I read the specs and that was what piqued my curiosity. Would like to find out how it compares to arctic alumina as far as heat conductivity.
pbarrette
Enlightened
Hi bhds,
According to this, the thermal conductivity of Arctic Alumina is ">4.0 W/mK (Hot Wire Method Per MIL-C-47113)".
According to this website, 4 W/mK = 2.31 BTU/hr Ft(sq) deg-F.
So it's close. You may want to have a look at this stuff instead. It looks like they have 10g of "Alumina" epoxy for ~$6.50 which is cheaper than the Arctic stuff and probably about the same thermal rating. They also have a 10g aluminum nitride filled epoxy at $31 that has a much higher thermal conductivity rating.
pb
--------- EDIT ----------
Oops,
In the links I posted for the Melcor epoxy, I stated that the Alumina stuff is nearly the same as the Arctic brand. Looking at the site again, I see that Melcor's measurements are in W/mK and I was reading them as BTU/(hr Ft(sq) Deg(F)). This means that the Melcor Aluminum Oxide filled doesn't perform as well as the Arctic Alumina, but the Aluminum Nitride stuff is about on par with the Arctic-Al.
Whoops again. Sorry.
pb
According to this, the thermal conductivity of Arctic Alumina is ">4.0 W/mK (Hot Wire Method Per MIL-C-47113)".
According to this website, 4 W/mK = 2.31 BTU/hr Ft(sq) deg-F.
So it's close. You may want to have a look at this stuff instead. It looks like they have 10g of "Alumina" epoxy for ~$6.50 which is cheaper than the Arctic stuff and probably about the same thermal rating. They also have a 10g aluminum nitride filled epoxy at $31 that has a much higher thermal conductivity rating.
pb
--------- EDIT ----------
Oops,
In the links I posted for the Melcor epoxy, I stated that the Alumina stuff is nearly the same as the Arctic brand. Looking at the site again, I see that Melcor's measurements are in W/mK and I was reading them as BTU/(hr Ft(sq) Deg(F)). This means that the Melcor Aluminum Oxide filled doesn't perform as well as the Arctic Alumina, but the Aluminum Nitride stuff is about on par with the Arctic-Al.
Whoops again. Sorry.
pb
bhds
Enlightened
Good information guys! Thanks.
I am trying to make my own version of the anglelux and need a "relatively" large amt. of epoxy.
I am trying to make my own version of the anglelux and need a "relatively" large amt. of epoxy.
Another thing to keep in mind about Lab Metal is that it is not an epoxy. Lab Metal cures through the evaporation of a fairly smelly and "hot" solvent from the plastic mass. Think model airplane cement on steroids. They recommend it be applied in 1/4" thick layers max. so you don't trap solvent under a cured surface layer. I would test carefully before getting uncured Lab Metal in contact with any plastic (like that black plastic base on a Luxeon).
bhds
Enlightened
pbarrette
Enlightened
bhds
Enlightened
Hmmm! I guess I'm going to have to figure something else out pbarrette. Those 10 gram packets just arent cost effective. I would probably need a couple of ounces just for one flashlight. I might have to go with a homemade slurry. There was a fairly involved discussion/thread a long time ago about making your own with al oxide powder and epoxy. More research /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon23.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon23.gif
