Permabond MT3836: For Thermal Conductivity

Permabond MT3836 is a flexible, thermally conductive adhesive with excellent fire resistant properties. A hybrid silane polymer adhesive, this product offers a host of benefits for bonding metals, plastics and more. Unlike one-component MS polymers, which rely on moisture to fully cure, MT3836 is a two-component adhesive that will readily cure at room temperature via a chemical reaction between the two components.

Transfers heat with ease

The primary benefit of Permabond MT3836 is its thermal conductivity – that is, its ability to convey heat. Filled with aluminium hydroxide, it has a thermal conductivity of 1.05 watts per meter Kelvin (W/m.K), considerably higher than that of a standard adhesive. A thermally conductive adhesive is ideal when you need heat to be transferred from one substrate bonded to another. An adhesive that isn’t thermally conductive will effectively block the heat transfer between substrates, whereas a thermally conductive adhesive facilitates the transfer of heat between them.

When might you need thermal conductivity? 

Adhesive thermal conductivity can be very useful in a variety of circumstances. Below we list some of the applications where you might consider a thermally conductive adhesive:

• Heat sinks bonded to electronic components. Aluminium heat sinks are bonded to housings, power electronics or other heat-generating components.
• Bonding EV battery packs. A thermally conductive adhesive can help to move heat away from battery cells and towards the cooling system – for example, an aluminium cooling plate.
• Electric motors. Components around motors and generators generate a lot of heat. A thermally conductive adhesive can help to dissipate this heat into cooling housings.
• Replacing welding, soldering or fasteners. Where the welded or fastened connection served as a heat path, thermally conductive adhesives become very useful.

Soft and flexible

Because MT3836 is very soft and flexible, it’s ideally suitable for bonding dissimilar materials – common in thermally conductive applications. It can handle differences in thermal expansion and contraction between substrates much more easily than a less flexible product.

With a hardness of 60 (Shore A), Permabond MT3836 also has great impact and vibration resistance, as well as being able to accommodate movement between substrates. It provides a complete seal and a durable adhesive bond.

Flame retardant to UL94 V-0

Another major benefit of this adhesive is its fire resistance. Flame retardant to UL94 V-0 standards, the adhesive is self-extinguishing when coming into contact with flames. The addition of aluminium hydroxide to the formulation (which also gives MT3836 its thermally conductive properties) means that it absorbs heat and suppresses combustion. This fire retardancy is particularly relevant to the battery applications mentioned earlier.

Bonds a wide variety of materials 

Permabond MT3836 can bond a wide variety of substrates. It’s suitable for bonding metals, composites, and many plastics – including more traditionally challenging plastics like nylon. This gives manufacturers greater flexibility in material selection and joint design.

Key Features of Permabond MT3836

• Flexible, thermally conductive adhesive
• Flame retardant to UL94-V0
• Bonds dissimilar substrates
• Excellent resistance to movement, impact and vibration
• Handles differences in thermal expansion and contraction
• Suitable for bonding many different materials

If you’d like to find out more about Permabond MT3836 or to discuss your application, please get in touch with us.