Ceramic Insulators vs Mica and Thermal Compound

[ksrigg]

I've been looking at the various types of insulators available for the TO-3 transistor, and looking at the properties of various materials. All I have been able to determine is that ceramic is a better performer than mica and that the major downside to using ceramic is the cost of the material....but I can find no studies and no real data on real world useage. I am considering trying some ceramic insulators just to see how they perform. But I don't have a temperature probe either. I remember someone here does. If we used some mica with thermal compound and some ceramic insulators on the same amp located physically as far apart as we can, do you think we could get a valid temperature reading for each to try to see which is helping transfer the heat to the heat sink better than the other?

In the end, I don't know that it really matters all that much, but I think the ceramic looks cool and would be less a mess than the thermal compound....

Anyone else curious?

 

[laatsch55]

Sure, do one side with mica the other with ceramic, check at 10 minute intervals and call us in the morning!!

 

[rtp_burnsville]

Hi,

I think there are some thermo-couples in the drawer if you want to give it a try. If you are interested let me know and I'll see what I can find.

Robert

 

[nakdoc]

Don't forget the "sil-pad" Personally I hate sil pads. Ceramic is very very rare in consumer stuff.