Anotherm substrate technology from TT Electronics IRC Advanced Film Div., Corpus Christi, Tex., lets high-brightness LEDs run at full power without thermal degradation. Applications include LED displays in gaming and vending machines, outdoor signage and display, emergency vehicle lighting, and architectural and general lighting.
Anotherm substrates for surface-mount technology (SMT) LEDs help prevent overheating, a major cause of device failure. LEDs and other components mount directly to the substrate, eliminating thermal grease, mounting hardware, and associated assembly costs. Solderable thick-film conductors can be screen-printed directly to the Anotherm substrate to connect surface-mount components and wire-bonded die.
Anotherm substrates are of 3003 or 6061 aluminum alloy, which has a thermal expansion coefficient about that of FR4 PC board. Its thermal conductivity of 173 W/m-°K is far greater than conventional substrates including FR4 PC board (0.8 W/m-°K), 304 stainless steel (17.3 W/m-°K, or 96% alumina ceramic (21 W/m-°K).
An insulation system consists of a thin layer of anodized aluminum oxide chemically grown on the aluminum core, which produces a dielectric layer approximately 0.0014-in. thick. This inorganic insulation layer is unaffected by temperature swings or chemical exposure.
Anotherm substrates work at temperatures to 400°C without soldered components, and to 175°C when using high-temperature solder. Maximum operating voltage is 250 Vac. Anotherm substrates comes in sizes to 8 10 in. and in thickness to 0.75 in.
MAKE CONTACT
TT Electronics IRC Advanced Film, www.irctt.com/anotherm
