Graphite article

Abstract

A graphite article which can be compressed by more three (3%) percent at a contact pressure of 100 KPa or less without damaging the graphite article reducing the thermal impedance exhibited by the article. Also a graphite article comprising graphitized polymer having a thickness of at least 75 microns. Preferably the graphite has a density of less than 1.50 g/cc and a compressibility of more than 3% at a contact pressure of 100 KPa. Also the article has a generally sheet like shape. These articles may be used in a thermal management system to dissipate heat from a heat source.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A compressible graphite article comprising a graphitized polymer sheet having a thickness of at least 200 microns, a density of less than 1.00 g/cc, and a thermal impedance of no more than 0.25 cm 2 ° C./W at a contact pressure of at least 700 kPa. 
     
     
         17 . The graphite article of  claim 16  wherein the thickness comprises up to 500 microns. 
     
     
         18 . The graphite article of  claim 16  having a resistivity of less than 0.019 (° C./W) at a contact pressure of at least 200 KPa. 
     
     
         19 . The graphite article of  claim 16 , wherein as the contact pressure of the graphite article increases, the in-plane thermal conductivity increases. 
     
     
         20 . The graphite article of  claim 16 , wherein as the contact pressure of the graphite article increases from 100 KPa to 700 KPa, the in-plane thermal conductivity increases by at least 1.25 times. 
     
     
         21 . The graphite article of  claim 16  further comprising a graphitized polymer having no dopant. 
     
     
         22 . The graphite article of  claim 16  wherein the thickness comprises up to 300 microns. 
     
     
         23 . An electronic device comprising the graphite article of  claim 16 . 
     
     
         24 . The electronic device of  claim 23 , whereby the graphite article in operative thermal contact with at least one of a heat source and a heat dissipation element. 
     
     
         25 . The electronic device of  claim 24 , whereby the graphite article in compressed operative thermal contact with the at least one of a heat source and a heat dissipation element. 
     
     
         26 . A method of making a thermal management system comprising disposing the graphite article of  claim 16  in operative thermal contact with a heat source. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26  further comprising disposing the graphite article in operative thermal communication with a heat dissipation element. 
     
     
         28 . A method of making a thermal management system comprising compressing a compressible graphite article comprising a graphitized polymer sheet having a thickness of at least 200 microns, a density of less than 1.00 g/cc, and a thermal impedance of no more than 0.25 cm 2 ° C./W at a contact pressure of at least 700 kPa in operative thermal communication with a heat source. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28  further comprising disposing the graphite article in operative thermal communication with a heat dissipation element. 
     
     
         30 . A method of making an electronic device comprising attaching a graphite article having a thickness of at least 200 microns, a density of less than 1.00 g/cc, and a thermal impedance of no more than 0.25 cm 2 ° C./W at a contact pressure of at least 700 kPa to an electronic component, whereby the graphite article in thermal communication with the electronic component. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30  wherein the electronic component comprises at least one of a heat source or a heat dissipation element.