Pyrolytic Graphite Sheets (PGS) - what is it and what are some uses for this product ?
- Pyrolytic Graphite is a form of graphite manufactured by the decomposition of a hydrocarbon gas at very high temperature. The result is a product which has anisotropic properties ( substances which exhibit variations in physical properties along different axes within the molecule ) which is very advantageous for heat transfer.
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A few different applications for PGS can be seen here. One application is to use PGS as a heat pipe. In the top right diagram is a pink block which represents a heat source, possibly some semiconductor component that generates/dissipates a lot of heat. In this case, the heat sink is located some distance away from the heat source. PGS can work as a bridge between this component and the heat sink to create effective heat transfer. In the image to the right of this, there is a red heat source with PGS simply connected to it in order to diffuse the heat away, in plane, from the heat source. The bottom illustration shows how PGS can be used as a standard interface material between some component (the heat source) and a heat sink. A certain amount of pressure can be applied, sandwiched between the two items, to create effective heat transfer.
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Here at Digikey we do carry a line of PGS sheets available in different shapes, sizes and thickness for any number of applications. The excellent heat transfer capabilities and ability to perform at high temperatures make this product a great choice for thermal management needs.