Trident™ Application Highlight: In-Line Thermal Effusivity Monitoring for Adhesive Dispensing Systems
This document highlights the integration of the Modified Transient Plane Source (MTPS) as an inline sensor for real-time monitoring of filler stability and material homogeneity in thermal adhesive dispensing systems, demonstrated through collaboration with bdtronic.
Authored by: Arya Hakimian, Adam Harris, Brandon C. Brown, and Jan Mies
Electric vehicle (EV) production is driving increased demand for larger volumes of adhesive material dispensing with crossover into other sectors such as aerospace and defense. Required safety and performance criteria involve effective thermal management to ensure heat generated by the system is properly dissipated. This is critical from both product performance and safety perspectives. Effective thermal management relies on optimized thermal properties at both the product design level and in manufacturing. The use of thermal interface materials (TIMs), such as thermal adhesives and potting compounds, plays a significant role in ensuring optimal performance and longevity in battery packs, charging ports, and related system designs. However, several challenges exist in the application of these materials, particularly regarding the stability and distribution behaviour of the conductive fillers and their impact on the final product's thermal performance. These problems can lead to significant issues, especially at the scale used in a manufacturing environment. Generally, the lower the resin's viscosity, the greater the tendency to sediment. This behaviour is commonly observed in self-levelling adhesives and potting compounds. This document highlights the use of C Therm’s MTPS effusivity sensors in a bdtronic dispensing system for real-time process monitoring
Figure 1. MTPS sensor configured for in-line applications.
Measurements were performed using the Modified Transient Plane Source (MTPS) method, integrated into a bdtronic dispensing system. The MTPS measures thermal effusivity in real time as material flows past the sensor face. Since thermal effusivity is directly related to the square root of the product of thermal conductivity, density, and specific heat capacity, it serves as a sensitive indicator of changes in filler content and distribution.To read more, download the PDF below.