The image shows a variety of thermal interface materials (TIMs), all of which can be characterized for heat transfer performance using a ZFW TIM Tester. The TIM Tester is designed to measure thermal properties such as thermal resistance (Rth) and thermal conductivity (λ) across a wide range of materials used in thermal management applications, following established methods like ASTM D5470.
Get a QuoteSee the ZFW TIM-Tester in Action
Discover how it delivers high-precision thermal measurements for gap pads, greases, and other TIMs, from sample prep to testing.
Highest Accuracy | Highest Performance
The TIM-Tester, developed by the Zentrum für Wärmemanagement (ZFW) in Stuttgart, is designed for the precise characterization of thermal interface materials (TIMs). Utilizing the stationary cylinder method in accordance with ASTM D5470, it provides highly accurate measurements of thermal resistance and effective thermal conductivity for a diverse range of materials, including gap fillers, gap pads, greases, pastes, adhesives, tapes, and solids. Since its inception in 2012, the TIM-Tester has established itself as a market leader, trusted by leading researchers for its high-precision gap resolution and versatile measurement modes, supporting both pressure- and gap-controlled analysis.
ZFW TIM-Tester
Core Measurement Capabilities
The TIM-Tester is engineered to provide a comprehensive thermal profile of your materials. It goes beyond basic testing to offer:
- Thermal Resistance: Delivers highly accurate measurements of a sample’s resistance to heat.
- Thermal Conductivity: By utilizing high-precision gap measurement, the device calculates the material’s true ability to conduct heat.
- Thermal Contact Resistance: By testing different layer thicknesses, the device can isolate the contact resistance between the material and the test surfaces.
- Optical Gap Measurement: Uses a high-precision, non-contact optical method to determine the interface gap, improving the accuracy of thermal resistance and conductivity measurements.
- Compliance with Global Standards: All measurements are performed using the stationary cylinder method in strict accordance with ASTM D5470 and IPC-TM-650.
Versatile Measurement Modes
To accommodate a wide range of material viscosities and forms, the TIM-Tester offers two distinct control modes:
- Gap-Controlled: Ideal for low-viscosity materials such as greases and pastes, where thermal properties are measured as a function of specific layer thickness.
- Pressure-Controlled: Designed for solids, pads, and elastic materials, determining thermal resistance based on specific contact pressures ranging from 0.05 to 2 N/mm².
One of the most powerful features of the TIM-Tester is its ability to perform compression and expansion tests. This “Delamination Test” mechanically simulates the real-world thermal expansion that occurs between a heat source and a heat sink during operation.
- Predict Thermal Failure: Continuously records thermal and mechanical properties (gap and force) over multiple cycles.
- Identify Adhesive Limits: Pinpoints the exact force or gap value at which a material detaches from the interface, helping prevent thermal failure caused by delamination or peeling.
Technical Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Gap Resolution | 0.1 μm |
| Absolute Accuracy | ± 4 μm |
| Reproducibility | < 1 mm²K/W |
| Surface Pressure Range | 0.05 – 2 N/mm² (7.25 – 290.075 PSI) |
| Sample Temperature Range | 10°C to 150°C (Hot side up to 175°C) |
| Gap Measurement Range | 0 – 10 mm |
Example: Characterization of Thermal Grease
Discover how the TIM-Tester can optimize your material testing.
Applications
Optical & Glass Interfaces
By combining the ZFW TIM‑Tester with micro‑thermography, it is possible to precisely measure thermal resistances in thin, multi-layered materials, such as glass lenses interfacing with thermal interface materials. This setup also enables detailed analysis of thermal contact resistance in the boundary layers of filled polymers, providing critical insights into heat flow at microscopic interfaces. Such measurements are essential for optimizing TIM performance in electronics, optics, and precision devices where thermal management is crucial.
Get a QuoteGap Pads
Gap pads are among the most widely used thermal interface materials (TIMs), providing effective heat transfer between uneven or spaced-apart surfaces. Their performance depends not only on the material’s intrinsic thermal conductivity but also on thickness, applied pressure, and surface contact quality. Understanding the effective thermal conductivity of gap pads under representative operating conditions is therefore essential for accurately evaluating their thermal performance and ensuring reliable heat dissipation in electronic devices, power modules, and other high-performance applications. The ZFW TIM‑Tester allows precise measurement of these properties, enabling engineers to optimize gap pad selection and configuration for specific thermal management needs.
Get a QuoteGraphite Foils
The Inplane‑TIM‑Tester allows precise measurement of the in-plane thermal conductivity of graphite foils, which are widely used for lateral heat spreading in electronics. The measurement is based on a stationary, ring-shaped heat impression, with temperature captured contactlessly using a high-resolution infrared (IR) camera. This setup enables detailed analysis of heat flow within the plane of the material, providing critical data for engineers to design and optimize thermal management solutions in compact or high-power devices.
Get a QuotePastes
Thermal interface materials (TIMs) have long been used in small-scale electronics, from CPUs to smartphone batteries, to ensure efficient heat transfer. However, as electric vehicle (EV) batteries operate at larger scales and higher thermal loads, particle settling within filled TIMs is becoming a significant challenge, potentially reducing thermal performance over time. Accurate testing and characterization of these materials under realistic conditions are therefore essential to maintain reliable heat dissipation in high-volume applications.
Get a QuoteAbout ZFW
The Zentrum für Wärmemanagement Stuttgart (ZFW) is a leading institute specializing in the thermal management of electronic systems. Founded in 2002 by Prof. Dr. Ing. A. Griesinger, ZFW operates independently within the Steinbeis Group while collaborating closely with the Faculty of Technology at DHBW Stuttgart.
With a team of experts, many with experience at companies such as Henkel and Robert Bosch GmbH, ZFW focuses on electromobility (battery thermal management), autonomous driving (driver assistance systems optimization), and LED technology, tackling over 100 industry and research funded projects each year.
By combining advanced simulation expertise with practical collaboration, ZFW delivers solutions that ensure reliable, efficient, and high-performance thermal management for electronic systems.
