Homebrew PCBs

This isn't exactly related to PCB construction, but this is about the best group I know of to ask.

I have some electrical coild about 0.5" dis. x 0.75" long.  They are being used to power electromagnets at about 5 VDC and 0.6 amp.  They appear to be getting a bit on the hot side when run continuously.  There are some heavy aluminum structural components around them that would make fine heat sinks - if I can get the heat to them.  

Does anyone know of a good thermal conductive material that will fill gaps from 0.05" to 0.1" wide?

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Earl T. Hackett, Jr."
<hacketet@c...> wrote:

> Does anyone know of a good thermal conductive material that will
fill gaps from 0.05" to 0.1" wide?

I've meant to ask this before; anyone know if that silver filled CPU
heat sink paste is really better than the regular white silicone stuff?

As for your gap, I'd fill it mostly with copper or aluminum. That's an
awful wide gap. Or for a nonconductive heat transfer, use those white
aluminum oxide (?) thick insulators with heat sink paste.

Can you blow a fan across them? Even a small fan can take the place of
quite a bit of heat sinking.

Steve Greenfield

Earl,
	How about an epoxy?  Even a metal-filled type might be non-conductive. 
I have successfully used "Plastic Steel," a two-part epoxy, to make
insulating bushings when I was 2-railing some old, uninsulated model
railroad wheels.

Alternatively, maybe a redesign of the coils is in order.  What size
wire are the coils wound with, and do you know how many turns?

Steve Bartlett

Earl T. Hackett, Jr. wrote:
....

I have some electrical coild about 0.5" dis. x 0.75" long.  They are
being used to power electromagnets at about 5 VDC and 0.6
amp.  They appear to be getting a bit on the hot side when run
continuously.  There are some heavy aluminum structural
components around them that would make fine heat sinks - if I can get
the heat to them.  

Does anyone know of a good thermal conductive material that will fill
gaps from 0.05" to 0.1" wide?