DOWSIL TC-3120 Thermal Gel is a silicone 1K thermal gel from Dow, rated ~12 W/m·K. Typical uses: 800G/1.6T optical transceivers, telecom, data center servers, autonomous vehicles, automotive controllers. Short answer: we dispense it with a PCP progressive cavity pump.
Material at a glance
| Manufacturer | Dow |
|---|---|
| Type | 1K thermal gel |
| Chemistry | Silicone |
| Thermal conductivity | ~12 W/m·K |
| Cure | Cure can be accelerated with heat; reworkable |
From the manufacturer's published data (source). Always work from the current technical data sheet.
How we dispense it
For a single-component thermal gel we start with a PCP progressive cavity pump, fed from a cartridge for lab and low volume, or from a pail with a follower-plate pail pump for production. A progressive cavity pump meters by volume, so dot and bead size stay consistent. Pump size depends on your dot or bead size and cycle time.
- Abrasion: the ceramic filler that carries the heat wears pumps out. We use tungsten carbide rotors and wear-resistant stators and run the pump slowly, at 8 to 12 rpm, for long wear life.
- Feed: thick pastes don't flow to a pump on their own. Above cartridge volumes, a follower plate pushes the material out of the pail and keeps air out.
See our PCP progressive cavity pumps, or use the pump configurator.
Frequently asked questions
What pump should I use to dispense DOWSIL TC-3120 Thermal Gel?
For a single-component thermal gel we start with a PCP progressive cavity pump, fed from a cartridge for lab and low volume, or from a pail with a follower-plate pail pump for production. Pump size depends on your shot or bead size and cycle time; send us those and we will size it.
Can DOWSIL TC-3120 Thermal Gel be fed from pails instead of cartridges?
Cartridges suit lab and low volume. Above that, a follower-plate pail pump feeds the metering pump directly, which cuts container changes and waste.
Does DOWSIL TC-3120 Thermal Gel need mixing?
No. It is a single-component material, so there is no mixer and no ratio to hold. The job is accurate, repeatable volumetric metering, which is what a progressive cavity pump does.
Will DOWSIL TC-3120 Thermal Gel wear out the pump?
Thermally conductive fillers are abrasive. With tungsten carbide rotors, wear-resistant stators and pump speeds of 8 to 12 rpm, stators typically last 6 to 12 months and rotors up to 24 months, and a pump rebuild takes under an hour.
Talk it through with us
Running DOWSIL TC-3120 Thermal Gel, or about to? Send us the technical data sheet, your bead or shot size and your cycle time, and we'll recommend a pump and feed system. We can run an application test on your material before you buy. Contact us
Related materials
- DOWSIL TC-4060 GB250 Thermal Gel · Dow, 2K thermal gel
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- BERGQUIST LIQUI FORM TLF LF2000 (Liqui-Form 2000) · Henkel Bergquist, 1K thermal gel
- BERGQUIST LIQUI FORM TLF LF3500 (Liqui-Form 3500) · Henkel Bergquist, 1K thermal gel
- BERGQUIST LIQUI FORM TLF 6000HG · Henkel Bergquist, 1K thermal gel
- BERGQUIST LIQUI FORM TLF 10000 · Henkel Bergquist, 1K thermal gel
All thermal interface materials · Materials we've dispensed
DOWSIL TC-3120 Thermal Gel is a trademark of Dow or its affiliates. Dispense Robotics is not affiliated with the manufacturer; the name is used to describe the material our equipment dispenses.