Whats the best potting compound?

vestureofblood

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Jun 19, 2008
Messages
3,211
Location
Missouri
Hi everyone,

I would like to have some potting compound. My question is which compound is the best thermal conductor? Where to get it would be a help too?

Thanks.
 

kevinm

Enlightened
Joined
Jun 2, 2006
Messages
891
Location
Denverish
Arctic alumina is great, but is expensive. For something like potting, I'd use JB Weld. It's what I use to attach stars to heat sinks for fixed lighting.

Kevin
 

arek98

Enlightened
Joined
Dec 21, 2006
Messages
424
Location
New Jersey, USA
I use 832TC manufactured by MG Chemicals purchased here (this is smallest container). It looks similar (may be the same) to what is used in Malkoff dropins. Is not very good thermal conductor but all potting compounds I saw are pretty much close and this one is relatively easy to get and use. It cures in 48 hours but it may be heat cured in little more than 1h (I did it in my oven on 175F - lowest tem I can set). It is pretty thick but still manages to get in smallest gaps and holes (sometimes not exactly where you want it :))
 
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