What to use for for a gap between laser module and heatsink?

First, let me say i doubted 10 times before opening this topic. Im the dumbass alot of times on this forum. I even got negrepped for opening a useless topic.
But i just cant find the answer on google.

I may have a small gap of 0.1 - 0.2mm between my laser module and the heatsink.
The module is placed in a hole of the heatsink.

I have searched alot, and find alot of different stuff, but nothing usable in my eyes.
I have found CPU pads, to stick between the heatsink of the CPU and the heatsink.
But it sticks on both sides.....and that poses 2 problems. One is that glue isnt really a good conductor for heat. And that it sticks on 2 sides...Meaning it will probaly be no easy task to remove the module once it is in.
Also pastes and special kind of glue, wich i also disliked because the module is all round. a spot where there is maybe a bit of to much paste of glue and it wont fit anymore?

Advice would be appriciated.

Try wrapping the outer heatsink with thin copper foil or
even kitchen Aluminum foil until you get a snug fit...

Or get another Heatsink that fits better/snugly..


Jerry

Good thread I have been pondering this issue for a while now and best I could give for advice is to use thermal adhesive(Artic). Apply the amount necessary and let it stand for a time (tacky). Then press the driver on and stop just short of contact with the sink. Monitor the drying of the adhesive and driver until it hard. Cheers!

jander6442 said:

Good thread I have been pondering this issue for a while now and best I could give for advice is to use thermal adhesive(Artic). Apply the amount necessary and let it stand for a time (tacky). Then press the driver on and stop just short of contact with the sink. Monitor the drying of the adhesive and driver until it hard. Cheers!

Click to expand...

there is no driver. Its for a heatsink in a laser projector. the heatsink is rather big. probaly 3 or 4 times as much mass as a big pointer heatsink.
well there is a driver, but its far away from the module, connected with wires.

with thermal adhesive i only put it on the module? then a thin layer every time until it fits the heatsink properly? how thin is a thin layer anyway? its really nothing(0.3mm max) that we're talking about here^^

borgqueenx said:

there is no driver. Its for a heatsink in a laser projector. the heatsink is rather big. probaly 3 or 4 times as much mass as a big pointer heatsink.
well there is a driver, but its far away from the module, connected with wires.

with thermal adhesive i only put it on the module? then a thin layer every time until it fits the heatsink properly? how thin is a thin layer anyway? its really nothing(0.3mm max) that we're talking about here^^

Click to expand...

Yea, sorry man I thought you where talking about not touching the driver to the heatsink... possible shorting out of driver.:banghead:

after another hour of searching, i found this.
Because i know copper is good stuff for conducting heat.

EMI COPPER FOIL SHIELDING TAPE 30mm x 4m LOW IMPEDANCE CONDUCTIVE ADHESIVE | eBay

is this something good to use? it does say something about shielding ect....i ofcource dont want it to "shield" the heat so it cant get through the copper.

The 'shielding' they are talking about is what this tape is typically used for ; shielding cables from Electromagnetic Interference, by wrapping them in this.

It says it will retain electrical conductivity when stuck to itself, so it probably uses some very thin adhesive. Bottom line, it would work... it would 'somewhat' slow down heat transfer to the heatsink but I dont believe it would be worse than a thick layer of thermal paste or adhesive.

borgqueenx said:

after another hour of searching, i found this.
Because i know copper is good stuff for conducting heat.

EMI COPPER FOIL SHIELDING TAPE 30mm x 4m LOW IMPEDANCE CONDUCTIVE ADHESIVE | eBay

is this something good to use? it does say something about shielding ect....i ofcource dont want it to "shield" the heat so it cant get through the copper.

Click to expand...

Gee why didn't I think of that...:thinking:
You're such a smart guy....:gj:
[/sarcastic]


Jerry

cilegray said:

The 'shielding' they are talking about is what this tape is typically used for ; shielding cables from Electromagnetic Interference, by wrapping them in this.

It says it will retain electrical conductivity when stuck to itself, so it probably uses some very thin adhesive. Bottom line, it would work... it would 'somewhat' slow down heat transfer to the heatsink but I dont believe it would be worse than a thick layer of thermal paste or adhesive.

Click to expand...

yeah will if the module is a tiny bit to small for the heatsink, it wont be able to conduct anything to the heatsink
so you think they would both be as good for conducting heat? (artic silver paste and that tape)

Arctic silver is meant to be used as a very very thin layer between CPUs and heatsinks... not as a gap filler. I'd try the tape.

I may have a small gap of 0.1 - 0.2mm between my laser module and the heatsink.
The module is placed in a hole of the heatsink.

Click to expand...

^ thats a pretty small gap I'd say... just use Jerry's idea as this has been discussed at lenght. Its cleaner than the paste unless you never ever move the module around

Aaah thanks. 0.3mm is nothing but i guess it can be even a "big gap" for some things.

For those still looking for answers. Aluminium foil works great. The copper tape wasnt in yes so i tried aluminium foil to connect the module to the heatsink. I tested the m140 diode 40 minutes straight and started at 1520mW. Didnt drop below 1500mW.
But do know i got a heatsink 4 or 5 times bigger then a pointer heatsink.

borgqueenx said:

For those still looking for answers. Aluminium foil works great. The copper tape wasnt in yes so i tried aluminium foil to connect the module to the heatsink. I tested the m140 diode 40 minutes straight and started at 1520mW. Didnt drop below 1500mW.
But do know i got a heatsink 4 or 5 times bigger then a pointer heatsink.

Click to expand...

Gee why didn't I think of that again...:thinking:
You're such a smart guy again coming up
with that idea all on your own....:gj:

And it only took you 8 days....
You are soooooo amazing...

[/sarcastic]


Jerry