Novel substrate removes the need for heatsinks

A new substrate technology is claimed to offer significant benefits over conventional polymer-based insulated metal substrates.

Responding to increasing customer demands for substrates with improved power and thermal dissipation, TT Electronics IRC Advanced Film Division has developed a new substrate technology that offers significant benefits over conventional polymer-based insulated metal substrates (IMS).

Designated Anotherm, IRC's new material consists of a thermally conductive aluminium alloy substrate insulated by a thin, chemically grown, anodised dielectric layer, with solderable screen printed conductors applied to the anodised layer.

"The Anotherm process utilises low cost manufacturing methods which result in a product that is compatible with traditional surface mount technology assembly methods", said Tom Morris, Applications Engineering Manager for IRC's Advanced Film Division.

"Because of the high thermal conductivity that the base aluminium substrate offers, in many cases the Anotherm board eliminates the need for additional heatsinks".

Traditional insulated metal substrate technology (IMS) often relies on a polymer or epoxy material that is mechanically applied to a bare aluminium substrate, which requires extensive surface preparation, as well as a minimum thickness of approximately 75um.

In addition, traditional IMS technology is subject to delamination at high temperatures.

By contrast, IRC's Anotherm process chemically converts the surface of the base aluminium itself to a rugged anodised insulating layer with a uniform thickness of only 35um, giving the Anotherm substrate its superior thermal properties, as well as eliminating the potential for delamination or peeling.

IRC's Anotherm substrates use an additive process that has fewer process steps than the subtractive process typically used for IMS board manufacturing, Morris continued.

As a result, the Anotherm substrates allow much more flexibility and thermal efficiency, as well as cost savings in many applications.

Typical applications for the Anotherm substrate include high brightness LED assemblies, LED packages, and power resistors for automotive applications.

Maximum operating voltage for the Anotherm substrates is 250V AC, with thermal impedance at 0.2C per watt.

Maximum continuous operating temperature is 400C without a solder maskant and 175C with a solder maskant.

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