Alphacool Apex Soft Thermal Pad - 14W/mK 120x20x1mm - 2 Pieces, Grey (13022)

The Alphacool Apex Soft Thermal Pad - 14W/mK 120x20x1mm - 2 Pieces is a pack of two gray thermal pad strips, each 120 x 20 x 1 mm, with a thermal conductivity of 14.0 W/mK. A strip sits between a cooler and the components under it, and it can be cut to size with scissors.

Properties

• Size (L x W x H): 120 x 20 x 1 mm
• Thermal conductivity: 14.0 W/mK (ASTM D5470)
• Hardness: 80 Shore OO
• Useful temperature: -40 to +150 °C
• Color: Gray
• Pieces in the pack: 2

Better than standard thermal pads?

Alphacool calls the Apex Soft its high-end solution among thermal pads and says the material acts similar to thermal paste. Its consistency prevents the highest components on a board, such as voltage converters (VRMs) or VRAMs, from being subjected to increased contact pressure from the cooler. In extreme cases that pressure can cause PCBs to bend. According to Alphacool the pads fill unevenness much better and nestle better against the components than standard pads, and thus significantly increase the heat transfer between cooler and component.

A material that cannot dry out

But that is not the only advantage Alphacool names: the special material also cannot dry out. Usually the silicone of heat-conducting pads bleeds out over time. This makes them go hard, and after a certain point their performance drops rapidly. Alphacool says this is not the case with the Apex Soft, so these pads can be used for a much longer period of time without significantly losing performance. It claims they offer better performance than standard pads in many respects, and says they are a perfect replacement for old or underperforming pads.

Cutting to size

When cutting a pad to size, it is essential to leave the foil on. With the foil in place the pad is easy to cut with scissors, no problem. Alphacool compares it to cutting paper: just as easy. It says the cut edges remain perfectly clean and do not fray.

The same strips with a lower conductivity are the Apex Soft 11W/mK 120x20x1mm, and the 14W/mK material also comes as a 100x100x1mm sheet.

Technical data

• L x W x H: 120 x 20 x 1 mm
• Color: Gray
• Specific gravity ASTM D792: 3.2 g/cc
• Thermal conductivity: 14.0 W/mK
• Hardness ASTM 2240: 80 Shore OO
• Operating temperature: -40 to +150 °C
• Volume resistivity ASTM D257: 1.0x10^11 Ohm-m
• Dielectric constant ASTM D150: 6.8 MHz
• Dielectric breakdown voltage ASTM D149: 13 kV/mm
• Flame rating UL 94: V-0
• Weight: 20 g

In the box

• 2x Alphacool Apex Soft Thermal Pad - 14W/mK 120x20x1mm