Thermal Dispersants

Thermal Dispersants are used to facilitate the transfer of heat through and away from a substrate.  It makes use of several proeprties of managing heat flow.  Not only does the coating apply in a thin film, so as not to fill in the surface porosity reducing the surface area, more importantly it coats the surface of the object with materials that enhance the flow of heat.  We define this flow of heat, or the natural ability of heat to reach an equilibrium, as thermal dynamic heat transfer, or TDHT. 

The best thermal dispersant coatings make use of a black pigment.  You might be thinking that it is counterintuitive to have a black material that actually helps radiate heat, as opposed to absorbing it.  The reality is that the dark black pigments make use of the radiatvie properties of Black Body.  These materials are readily available in the market deal primarily with the radiative property called emissivity.  Essentially this property re-readiates the thermal energy back out into the surrounding atmosphere more then it absorbs.  The bottom line, thermal dispersants help facilitate the transfer of heat.

Due to its the coatings ability to facilitate this heat transfer, it can be applied in a variety of different applications.  In the automotive industry, thermal dispersants are used on radiator bodies, intercoolers, air to air exchangers ( and the tubes), compressor housings of turbochargers, and oil pans to name a few.

Thermal dispersants also provide excellent corrosion protection that not only extends the life of the component, but improves the overall appearance for a longer period of time.  Unlike many powder coatings and other ceramic coatings, the thermal dispersants truly are a long distance material worth the investment on parts to be coated that go beyond the functional need for thermal management. 

Additionally, a special lubricant in the formula makes substrates coated in thermal dispersants very easy to clean. 

Thermal dispersants are available throughout the marketplace, however some are much better then others, based on available test data.  We’ll be providing examples of this material, as well as test data, within the coming weeks.