THERMALLY CONDUCTIVE MEMBER

Abstract

Provided is a thermally conductive member having both high thermal conductivity and low hardness. A thermally conductive member is a laminate provided with a plurality of layers including a first layer and a second layer stacked in contact with each other. The first layer is formed of a first thermally conductive composition containing at least a first acrylic binder, a first thermally conductive filler, and a dispersant. The dispersant contains at least one of a linear polyester having a weight-average molecular weight from 1000 to 2500 and having phosphoric acid at a terminal and a polyester-polyether copolymer having a weight-average molecular weight from 1000 to 2500 and having phosphoric acid at a terminal.

Claims

1. A thermally conductive member, the thermally conductive member comprising a laminate provided with a plurality of layers including a first layer and a second layer stacked in contact with each other, wherein the first layer is formed of a first thermally conductive composition containing at least a first acrylic binder, a first thermally conductive filler, and a dispersant, the second layer is formed of a second thermally conductive composition containing at least a second acrylic binder and a second thermally conductive filler, wherein from 500 to 1200 parts by mass of the first thermally conductive filler and from 0.2 to 5 parts by mass of the dispersant are blended in the first thermally conductive composition in a mass ratio relative to 100 parts by mass of the first acrylic binder, wherein from 200 to 400 parts by mass of the second thermally conductive filler is blended in the second thermally conductive composition in a blending ratio relative to 100 parts by mass of the second acrylic binder, and wherein the dispersant contains at least one of a linear polyester having a weight-average molecular weight from 1000 to 2500 and having phosphoric acid at a terminal and a polyester-polyether copolymer having a weight-average molecular weight from 1000 to 2500 and having phosphoric acid at a terminal.

2. The thermally conductive member according to claim 1, wherein the first acrylic binder contains at least an acrylic polymer and a plasticizer, and the first acrylic binder contains from 15 to 45 parts by mass of the plasticizer in a mass ratio relative to 100 parts by mass of the acrylic polymer.

3. The thermally conductive member according to claim 1, wherein the first thermally conductive filler contains at least silicon carbide having an average particle diameter from 60 to 100 m, first spherical alumina having an average particle diameter from 70 to 100 m, second spherical alumina having an average particle diameter from 1 to 30 m, and first magnesium hydroxide having an average particle diameter from 0.5 to 2 m, wherein the second thermally conductive filler contains aluminum hydroxide having an average particle diameter from 5 to 50 m as an essential component, wherein the first thermally conductive filler contains from 20 to 40 parts by mass of the silicon carbide, from 20 to 50 parts by mass of the first spherical alumina, from 20 to 50 parts by mass of the second spherical alumina, and from 1 to 10 parts by mass of the first magnesium hydroxide in a mass ratio in 100 parts by mass of the first thermally conductive filler, and wherein the second thermally conductive filler contains from 90 to 100 parts by mass of the aluminum hydroxide and from 0 to 10 parts by mass of the second magnesium hydroxide in mass ratio in 100 parts by mass of the second thermally conductive filler.

4. The thermally conductive member according to claim 1, wherein the first layer has an Asker C hardness from 0.1 to 22 and a thermal conductivity from 2 to 15 W/m.Math.K.

5. The thermally conductive member according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of layers includes a third layer stacked at a position in contact with the first layer on a side opposite to the second layer with the first layer interposed therebetween, and the third layer is formed of a resin film having a thickness from 1 to 15 m.

6. The thermally conductive member according to claim 3, wherein the second thermally conductive filler contains second magnesium hydroxide having an average particle diameter from 0.5 to 2 m.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1A is a schematic perspective view of a thermally conductive member. FIG. 1B is an explanatory view illustrating a state of use of the thermally conductive member.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0010] 1 . . . Thermally conductive member, 11 . . . First layer, 12 . . . Second layer, 13 . . . Third layer, 21 . . . Electronic circuit board, 22 . . . Electronic component, 23 . . . Metal panel

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Next, the thermally conductive member described above will be explained using an exemplary embodiment.

(1) Configuration of Thermally Conductive Member

[0012] As illustrated in FIG. 1A, a thermally conductive member 1 is a laminate provided with a plurality of layers including a first layer 11, a second layer 12, and a third layer 13. The first layer 11 and the second layer 12 are stacked in contact with each other. The third layer 13 is stacked at a position in contact with the first layer 11 on the side opposite to the second layer 12 with the first layer 11 interposed therebetween.

[0013] The first layer 11 is formed of a first thermally conductive composition. The first thermally conductive composition contains at least a first acrylic binder, a first thermally conductive filler, and a dispersant. The blending amount of the first thermally conductive filler is set to from 500 to 1200 parts by mass and more preferably from 600 to 1000 parts by mass in terms of a mass ratio relative to 100 parts by mass of the first acrylic binder.

[0014] When the blending ratio of the first thermally conductive filler is 500 parts by mass or greater, the first layer 11 can be a layer having excellent thermal conductivity as compared with a case where the blending ratio of the first thermally conductive filler is less than 500 parts by mass. When the blending ratio of the first thermally conductive filler is 600 parts by mass or greater, the first layer 11 can be a layer that is further excellent in the thermal conductivity. On the other hand, when the blending ratio of the first thermally conductive filler is 1,200 parts by mass or less, it is possible to suppress the hardness of the first layer 11 from becoming excessively high as compared to a case where the blending ratio of the first thermally conductive filler is greater than 1200 parts by mass. When the blending ratio of the first thermally conductive filler is 1000 parts by mass or less, the hardness of the first layer 11 can be further reduced.

[0015] In the present embodiment, the first acrylic binder contains at least an acrylic polymer and a plasticizer. The blending amount of the plasticizer is 15 to 45 parts by mass in terms of a mass ratio relative to 100 parts by mass of the acrylic polymer. When the blending ratio of the plasticizer is 15 parts by mass or greater, the hardness of the first layer 11 can be reduced as compared to a case where the blending ratio of the plasticizer is less than 15 parts by mass. When the blending ratio of the plasticizer is 45 parts by mass or less, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of excessive adhesiveness in the first layer 11 and to suppress oil bleeding from the first layer 11, as compared to a case where the blending ratio of the plasticizer is greater than 45 parts by mass.

[0016] As the acrylic polymer, for example, an acrylic polymer obtained by polymerizing or copolymerizing an acrylic resin containing a polymer obtained by polymerizing a monomer containing a (meth)acrylic acid ester and a (meth)acrylic acid ester can be used.

[0017] Examples of the (meth)acrylic acid ester include ethyl (meth)acrylate, n-propyl (meth)acrylate, i-propyl (meth)acrylate, n-butyl (meth)acrylate, i-butyl (meth)acrylate, 2-ethyl hexyl (meta) acrylate, n-hexyl (meth)acrylate, n-amyl (meth)acrylate, i-amyl (meth)acrylate, octyl (meth)acrylate, i-octyl (meth)acrylate, i-myristyl (meth)acrylate, lauryl (meth)acrylate, nonyl (meth)acrylate, i-nonyl (meth)acrylate, i-decyl (meth)acrylate, tridecyl (meth)acrylate, stearyl (meth)acrylate, and i-stearyl (meth)acrylate. These may be used alone or in combination for (co)polymerization.

[0018] An acrylic polymer can be obtained by adding an additive such as a multifunctional monomer, a polymerization initiator, and a plasticizer, to the above described acrylic resin as appropriate, followed by heating and curing.

[0019] Examples of the multifunctional monomer include a multifunctional monomer having two or more (meth)acryloyl groups in a molecule. Examples of the di-functional (meth)acrylate monomer having two (meth)acryloyl groups include 1,3-butylene glycol di(meth)acrylate, 1,4-butanediol di(meth)acrylate, 1,6-hexanediol di(meth)acrylate, 1,9-nonanediol di(meth)acrylate, neopentyl glycol di(meth)acrylate, dicyclopentanyl di(meth)acrylate, 2-ethyl-2-butyl-propanediol (meth)acrylate, neopentylglycol-modified trimethylolpropane di(meth)acrylate, stearic acid-modified pentaerythritol diacrylate, polypropylene glycol di(meth)acrylate, 2,2-bis[4-(meth)acryloxydiethoxyphenyl]propane, 2,2-bis[4-(meth)acryloxypropoxyphenyl]propane, and 2,2-bis[4-(meth)acryloxytetraethoxyphenyl]propane.

[0020] Examples of the tri-functional (meth)acrylate monomer include trimethylolpropane tri(meth)acrylate and tris[(meth)acryloxyethyl]isocyanurate. Examples of the multifunctional (meth)arylate monomer having 4 or more functional groups include dimethylolpropane tetra(meth)arylate, pentaerythritol tetra(meth)acrylate, pentaerythritol ethoxytetra(meth)acrylate, dipentaerythritol penta(meth)acrylate, and dipentaerythritol hexa(meth)acrylate.

[0021] Among these multifunctional monomers, 1,6-hexanediol di(meth)acrylate and the like are preferred.

[0022] The multifunctional monomer described above is preferably blended in an amount of to 0.015 parts by mass in the first layer 11 relative to 20 to 25 parts by mass of the acrylic resin.

[0023] Examples of the polymerization initiator include organic peroxides such as di-(4-t-butylcyclohexyl)peroxydicarbonate, lauroyl peroxide, t-amylperoxy-2-ethylhexanoate, benzoyl peroxide, and t-butylperoxy-2-ethylhexanoate. Among these polymerization initiators, di-(4-t-butylcyclohexyl)peroxydicarbonate is preferred.

[0024] The polymerization initiator is preferably blended in an amount from 0.1 to 0.3 parts by mass relative to 20 to 25 parts by mass of the acrylic resin.

[0025] For a plasticizer, a generally used plasticizer can be used. For example, a phthalate-based plasticizer, an adipate-based plasticizer, a phosphate-based plasticizer, a trimellitate-based plasticizer, or a polyester-based plasticizer can be used suitably. Any one kind of these plasticizers can be used alone or two or more kinds of these plasticizers can be used as a mixture. With the plasticizer blended, the first layer 11 has a low hardness, and the flexibility is imparted to the thermally conductive member 1.

[0026] An antioxidant may be added to the first layer 11 as an additive. Examples of the antioxidant include a phenol-based antioxidant that has radical complementary action. Blending such an antioxidant can suppress polymerization of the acrylic resin during sheet production and thus reduce the hardness of the sheet to a lower level.

[0027] The antioxidant is preferably blended in an amount from 0.05 to 0.10 parts by mass relative to 20 to 25 parts by mass of the acrylic resin. If the blending amount of the antioxidant is too small, polymerization of the acrylic resin may proceed excessively so that the hardness of the sheet becomes too large. If the blending amount of the antioxidant is too large, curing of the resin may be hindered.

[0028] In the case of the present embodiment, the first thermally conductive filler contains at least silicon carbide having an average particle diameter from 60 to 100 m, first spherical alumina having an average particle diameter from 70 to 100 m, second spherical alumina having an average particle diameter from 1 to 30 m, and first magnesium hydroxide having an average particle diameter from 0.5 to 2 m. The average particle diameter referred to in the present disclosure is an average particle diameter D50 determined by a laser diffractometry or the like.

[0029] When the average particle diameter of silicon carbide is 60 m or greater, the bonding strength between the first layer 11 and the second layer 12 can be improved as compared with a case where the average particle diameter of silicon carbide is less than 60 m. In addition, when the average particle diameter of silicon carbide is 100 m or less, it is possible to suppress the particles of silicon carbide from falling off from the thermally conductive member 1 in the production of the thermally conductive member 1, as compared with a case where the average particle diameter of silicon carbide is greater than 100 m.

[0030] The first spherical alumina and the second spherical alumina are two kinds of spherical alumina having different average particle diameters. When such two kinds of spherical alumina are blended, spherical alumina having a small average particle diameter is filled between particles of silicon carbide and between particles of spherical alumina having a large average particle diameter. As a result, the number of contact portions between the particles constituting the thermally conductive filler can be increased, and the thermal conductivity of the first layer 11 can be improved.

[0031] When the average particle diameter of the first spherical alumina is 70 m or greater and the average particle diameter of the second spherical alumina is 30 m or less, the difference in particle diameter between the first spherical alumina and the second spherical alumina becomes sufficiently large. As compared with a case where the difference in particle diameter is small, the effect becomes remarkable by blending spherical alumina having different average particle diameters. In addition, when the average particle diameter of the first spherical alumina is 100 m or less, it is possible to suppress the particles of the first spherical alumina from falling off from the thermally conductive member 1 in the production of the thermally conductive member 1, as compared with a case where the average particle diameter of the first spherical alumina is greater than 100 m. When the average particle diameter of the second spherical alumina is 1 m or greater, it is possible to suppress the viscosity of the first thermally conductive filler from excessively increasing as compared with a case where the average particle diameter of the second spherical alumina is less than 1 m.

[0032] Both the first spherical alumina and the second spherical alumina are low-soda alumina. The low-soda alumina referred to in the present embodiment is alumina in which a Na content contained as an impurity is suppressed to 0.1 mass % or less in terms of Na2O.

[0033] When the average particle diameter of the first magnesium hydroxide is from 0.5 to 2 m, the viscosity of the first thermally conductive filler can be appropriately increased.

[0034] The dispersant contains at least one of a linear polyester having a weight-average molecular weight from 1000 to 2500 and having phosphoric acid at a terminal and a polyester-polyether copolymer having a weight-average molecular weight from 1000 to 2500 and having phosphoric acid at a terminal. By blending such a dispersant, the dispersibility of the first thermally conductive filler in the first acrylic binder can be improved. Therefore, the thermal conductivity of the first layer 11 can be improved as compared with a case where a similar dispersant is not blended. The blending amount of the dispersant is from 0.2 to 5 parts by mass and more preferably from 0.2 to 2.0 parts by mass in terms of a mass ratio relative to 100 parts by mass of the acrylic polymer.

[0035] In the case of the present embodiment, the first layer 11 configured as described above is configured to have an Asker C hardness from 0.1 to 22. This allows the first layer 11 to have a sufficiently low hardness. In the case of the present embodiment, the first layer 11 is configured to have a thermal conductivity from 2 to 15 W/m.Math.K. This allows the first layer 11 to have a sufficiently high thermal conductivity.

[0036] The second layer 12 is formed of a second thermally conductive composition containing at least a second acrylic binder and a second thermally conductive filler. In the second thermally conductive composition, 200 to 400 parts by mass (more preferably from 250 to 350 parts by mass) of the second thermally conductive filler is blended in a blending ratio relative to 100 parts by mass of the second acrylic binder.

[0037] In the present embodiment, the second acrylic binder contains at least an acrylic polymer. As the acrylic polymer, an acrylic polymer similar to the acrylic polymer contained in the first acrylic binder can be used. However, the second layer 12 has a higher hardness than the first layer 11. Therefore, for example, the blending amount of the multifunctional monomer may be larger than that of the first layer 11, and for example, it is preferable to blend 0.05 to 0.10 parts by mass of the multifunctional monomer in the second layer 12.

[0038] In the case of the present embodiment, 90 to 100 parts by mass of aluminum hydroxide as an essential component and 0 to 10 parts by mass of the second magnesium hydroxide as an optional component are blended in the second thermally conductive filler at a mass ratio in 100 parts by mass of the second thermally conductive filler. That is, 100 parts by mass of the second thermally conductive filler may be formed of 100 parts by mass of aluminum hydroxide as an essential component, or may be formed such that the second magnesium hydroxide as an optional component is blended in a range of 10 parts by mass or less with respect to aluminum hydroxide as an essential component and the total of aluminum hydroxide and the second magnesium hydroxide is 100 parts by mass.

[0039] The second layer 12 configured as described above is a layer having a higher hardness than the first layer 11 and a lower adhesiveness than the first layer 11. Therefore, when one surface of the first layer 11 is covered with the second layer 12, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of adhesiveness on one surface of the thermally conductive member 1 as compared with a thermally conductive member in which the second layer 12 is not provided.

[0040] The third layer 13 is formed of a resin film having a thickness of 1 to 15 m. The resin constituting the resin film may be any resin as long as the resin does not excessively inhibit the thermal conduction performance of the thermally conductive member 1. An example of the resin is a polyester film such as a PET film. PET is an abbreviation for polyethylene terephthalate.

[0041] The third layer 13 is a layer having a higher hardness than the first layer 11 and a lower adhesiveness than the first layer 11. Therefore, when one surface of the first layer 11 is covered with the third layer 13, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of adhesiveness on one surface of the thermally conductive member 1 as compared with a thermally conductive member in which the third layer 13 is not provided.

[0042] As illustrated in FIG. 1B, for example, the thermally conductive member 1 configured as described above is interposed between an electronic component 22 mounted on one surface of an electronic circuit board 21 and a metal panel 23 constituting a housing of an electronic device. Thus, heat generated in the electronic component 22 is conducted to the metal panel 23 via the thermally conductive member 1, and heat discharge from the electronic component 22 can be promoted. Although the second layer 12 is in contact with the metal panel 23 and the third layer 13 is in contact with the electronic component 22 in the example illustrated in FIG. 1B, the second layer 12 may be in contact with the electronic component 22 and the third layer 13 may be in contact with the metal panel 23.

[0043] The thickness of the first layer 11 is preferably about from 0.7 to 5.9 mm. The thickness of the second layer 12 is preferably about from 0.1 to 0.3 mm. By configuring the thicknesses of the first layer 11 and the second layer 12 to be equal to or greater than the above-described lower limit value, it is possible to suppress the thermally conductive member 1 from being torn when an external force acts on the thermally conductive member 1. In addition, by configuring the thicknesses of the first layer 11 and the second layer 12 to be equal to or less than the above-described upper limit value, it is possible to exhibit good thermal conductivity.

(2) Production Example of Thermally Conductive Member

[0044] Next, a method for producing the thermally conductive member will be described.

(2.1) Production Example of First Layer

Example 1

[0045] A first thermally conductive filler was prepared by mixing 29.14 parts by mass of silicon carbide having an average particle diameter from 60 to 100 m, 34.30 parts by mass of first spherical alumina having an average particle diameter from 70 to 100 m, 32.65 parts by mass of second spherical alumina having an average particle diameter from 1 to 30 m, and 3.91 parts by mass of first magnesium hydroxide having an average particle diameter from 0.5 to 2 m.

[0046] Subsequently, 671.58 parts by mass of the first thermally conductive filler and 0.62 parts by mass of a dispersant were blended with 100 parts by mass of the first acrylic binder to prepare a first thermally conductive composition. As the first acrylic binder, a composition in which 22.52 parts by mass of a plasticizer was blended with 100 parts by mass of an acrylic polymer was used.

[0047] The first thermally conductive composition was molded into a sheet shape to obtain a molded article corresponding to the first layer 11. When the Asker C hardness and the thermal conductivity were measured, the Asker C hardness was 3, and the thermal conductivity was 2.369 W/m.Math.K.

Example 2

[0048] 852.81 parts by mass of the first thermally conductive filler as in the first embodiment and 0.57 parts by mass of a dispersant were blended with 100 parts by mass of the first acrylic binder to prepare a first thermally conductive composition. As the first acrylic binder, a composition in which 22.40 parts by mass of a plasticizer was blended with 100 parts by mass of an acrylic polymer was used.

[0049] The first thermally conductive composition was molded into a sheet shape to obtain a molded article corresponding to the first layer 11. When the Asker C hardness and the thermal conductivity were measured, the Asker C hardness was 7, and the thermal conductivity was 3.372 W/m.Math.K.

Example 3

[0050] 948.58 parts by mass of the first thermally conductive filler as in the first embodiment and 0.63 parts by mass of a dispersant were blended with 100 parts by mass of the first acrylic binder to prepare a first thermally conductive composition. As the first acrylic binder, a composition in which 22.49 parts by mass of a plasticizer was blended with 100 parts by mass of an acrylic polymer was used.

[0051] The first thermally conductive composition was molded into a sheet shape to obtain a molded article corresponding to the first layer 11. When the Asker C hardness and the thermal conductivity were measured, the Asker C hardness was 7, and the thermal conductivity was 3.899 W/m.Math.K.

Comparative Example 1

[0052] 1302.10 parts by mass of the first thermally conductive filler as in the first embodiment and 0.56 parts by mass of a dispersant were blended with 100 parts by mass of the first acrylic binder to prepare a first thermally conductive composition. As the first acrylic binder, a composition in which 22.51 parts by mass of a plasticizer was blended with 100 parts by mass of an acrylic polymer was used.

[0053] The first thermally conductive composition was molded into a sheet shape to obtain a molded article corresponding to the first layer 11. When the Asker C hardness and the thermal conductivity were measured, the Asker C hardness was 29, and the thermal conductivity was W/m.Math.K. By setting the blending ratio of the first thermally conductive filler to 1302.10 parts by mass, the Asker C hardness was 29.

Comparative Example 2

[0054] 853.29 parts by mass of the first thermally conductive filler as in the first embodiment was blended with 100 parts by mass of the first acrylic binder to prepare a first thermally conductive composition. As the first acrylic binder, a composition in which 22.40 parts by mass of a plasticizer was blended with 100 parts by mass of an acrylic polymer was used.

[0055] The first thermally conductive composition was molded into a sheet shape to obtain a molded article corresponding to the first layer 11. When the Asker C hardness was measured, the Asker C hardness was 29. Although the blending amount of the first thermally conductive filler was close to that in Example 2, the dispersant was not blended, and thus the Asker C hardness was 29.

Comparative Example 3

[0056] 853.29 parts by mass of the first thermally conductive filler as in the first embodiment was blended with 100 parts by mass of the first acrylic binder to prepare a first thermally conductive composition. As the first acrylic binder, a composition in which 38.94 parts by mass of a plasticizer was blended with 100 parts by mass of an acrylic polymer was used.

[0057] The first thermally conductive composition was molded into a sheet shape to obtain a molded article corresponding to the first layer 11. When the Asker C hardness was measured, the Asker C hardness was 24. Although the blending amount of the first thermally conductive filler was close to that in Example 2, and the blending amount of the plasticizer was also increased as compared with Comparative Example 2, the dispersant was not blended, and thus the Asker C hardness was 24.

Comparative Example 4

[0058] 853.10 parts by mass of the first thermally conductive filler as in the first embodiment and 0.19 parts by mass of a dispersant were blended with 100 parts by mass of the first acrylic binder to prepare a first thermally conductive composition. As the first acrylic binder, similar to Comparative Example 3, a composition in which 38.94 parts by mass of a plasticizer was blended with 100 parts by mass of an acrylic polymer was used.

[0059] The first thermally conductive composition was molded into a sheet shape to obtain a molded article corresponding to the first layer 11. When the Asker C hardness was measured, the Asker C hardness was 23. Although the blending amount of the first thermally conductive filler was close to that in Example 2, and the blending amount of the plasticizer was the same as that in Comparative Example 3 and larger than that in Example 2, the blending amount of the dispersant was as small as 0.19 parts by mass, so that the Asker C hardness was 23.

Example 4

[0060] 853.00 parts by mass of the first thermally conductive filler as in the first embodiment and 0.29 parts by mass of a dispersant were blended with 100 parts by mass of the first acrylic binder to prepare a first thermally conductive composition. As the first acrylic binder, a composition in which 38.94 parts by mass of a plasticizer was blended with 100 parts by mass of an acrylic polymer was used.

[0061] The first thermally conductive composition was molded into a sheet shape to obtain a molded article corresponding to the first layer 11. When the Asker C hardness was measured, the Asker C hardness was 20. Although the blending amount of the first thermally conductive filler and the blending amount of the plasticizer were almost the same as that in Comparative Example 4, the blending amount of the dispersant was 0.29 parts by mass, so that the Asker C hardness was 20.

Example 5

[0062] 852.72 parts by mass of the first thermally conductive filler as in the first embodiment and 0.57 parts by mass of a dispersant were blended with 100 parts by mass of the first acrylic binder to prepare a first thermally conductive composition. As the first acrylic binder, a composition in which 38.94 parts by mass of a plasticizer was blended with 100 parts by mass of an acrylic polymer was used.

[0063] The first thermally conductive composition was molded into a sheet shape to obtain a molded article corresponding to the first layer 11. When the Asker C hardness and the thermal conductivity were measured, the Asker C hardness was 7, and the thermal conductivity was 3.354 W/m K.

(2.2) Production Example of Second Layer

Example 6

[0064] Aluminum hydroxide having an average particle diameter from 5 to 50 m was used as a second thermally conductive filler, and 281.10 parts by mass of the second thermally conductive filler was mixed with 100 parts by mass of the second acrylic binder to prepare a second thermally conductive composition. As the second acrylic binder, an acrylic polymer was used.

[0065] The second thermally conductive composition was molded into a sheet shape to obtain a molded article corresponding to the second layer 12. When the Asker C hardness and the thermal conductivity were measured, the Asker C hardness was 45, and the thermal conductivity was 1.04 W/m.Math.K.

Example 7

[0066] A second thermally conductive filler was prepared by mixing 263.67 parts by weight of aluminum hydroxide having an average particle diameter from 5 to 50 m and 17.14 parts by weight of a second magnesium hydroxide having an average particle diameter from 0.5 to 2 m. 280.81 parts by mass of the second thermally conductive filler was blended with 100 parts by mass of the second acrylic binder to prepare a second thermally conductive composition. As the second acrylic binder, an acrylic polymer was used.

[0067] The second thermally conductive composition was applied to the first layer 11 to obtain a molded article corresponding to the second layer 12.

Example 8

[0068] Aluminum hydroxide having an average particle diameter from 5 to 50 m was used as a second thermally conductive filler, and 337.25 parts by mass of the second thermally conductive filler was mixed with 100 parts by mass of the second acrylic binder to prepare a second thermally conductive composition. As the second acrylic binder, an acrylic polymer was used.

[0069] The second thermally conductive composition was applied to the first layer 11 to obtain a molded article corresponding to the second layer 12. When the Asker C hardness and the thermal conductivity were measured, the Asker C hardness was 64, and the thermal conductivity was 1.28 W/m.Math.K.

Comparative Example 5

[0070] Aluminum hydroxide having an average particle diameter from 5 to 50 m was used as a second thermally conductive filler, and 421.65 parts by mass of the second thermally conductive filler was mixed with 100 parts by mass of the second acrylic binder to prepare a second thermally conductive composition. As the second acrylic binder, an acrylic polymer was used.

[0071] The second thermally conductive composition was applied to the first layer 11 to obtain a molded article corresponding to the second layer 12. When the Asker C hardness and the thermal conductivity were measured, the Asker C hardness was 77, and the thermal conductivity was 1.55 W/m.Math.K. Since the blending amount of the second thermally conductive filler was excessive, the properties of the second thermally conductive composition became rough, and the composition had poor coatability.

Comparative Example 6

[0072] Aluminum hydroxide having an average particle diameter from 5 to 50 m was used as a second thermally conductive filler, and 137.19 parts by mass of the second thermally conductive filler was mixed with 100 parts by mass of the second acrylic binder to prepare a second thermally conductive composition. As the second acrylic binder, an acrylic polymer was used.

[0073] The second thermally conductive composition was applied to the first layer 11 to obtain a molded article corresponding to the second layer 12. When the Asker C hardness and the thermal conductivity were measured, the Asker C hardness was 9, and the thermal conductivity was 0.58 W/m.Math.K. Since the blending amount of the second thermally conductive filler was excessively small, the properties of the second thermally conductive composition became fragile, and the composition had poor coatability.

(3) Other Embodiments

[0074] Although an exemplary embodiment has been used to describe the thermally conductive member 1, the present embodiment should not be construed to be any more than an example of one form of the present disclosure. That is, the present disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above, and can be carried out in various forms without departing from the technical concept of the present disclosure.

[0075] For example, in the above-described embodiment, some specific examples in which the constituent materials of the thermally conductive member 1 of the present disclosure are mixed at a specific blending ratio are illustrated. However, the blending ratio of each constituent material can be optionally adjusted within the numerical range shown in the present disclosure.

[0076] Note that a plurality of functions implemented by one component illustrated in the above embodiment may be implemented by a plurality of components. One function implemented by one component illustrated in the above embodiment may be implemented by a plurality of components. A plurality of functions implemented by a plurality of components illustrated in the above embodiment may be implemented by one component. One function implemented by a plurality of components illustrated in the above embodiment may be implemented by one component. Additionally, a portion of the configurations exemplified in the embodiments described above may be omitted. Among the above embodiments, at least part of the configuration exemplified in one embodiment may be added to or replace the configuration exemplified in another embodiment other than the one embodiment.

(4) Complement

[0077] Note that as is clear from the exemplary embodiments described above, the heat conduction member of the present disclosure may be further provided with configurations such as those given below.

[0078] (A) The first acrylic binder may contain at least an acrylic polymer and a plasticizer. Further, the first acrylic binder may contain from 15 to 45 parts by mass of the plasticizer in terms of a mass ratio relative to 100 parts by mass of the acrylic polymer.

[0079] (B) The first thermally conductive filler may contain at least silicon carbide having an average particle diameter from 60 to 100 m, first spherical alumina having an average particle diameter from 70 to 100 m, second spherical alumina having an average particle diameter from 1 to 30 m, and first magnesium hydroxide having an average particle diameter from 0.5 to 2 m. The second thermally conductive filler contains aluminum hydroxide having an average particle diameter from 5 to 50 m as an essential component and may contain second magnesium hydroxide having an average particle diameter from 0.5 to 2 m as an optional component. In the first thermally conductive filler, from 20 to 40 parts by mass of silicon carbide, from 20 to 50 parts by mass of the first spherical alumina, from 20 to 50 parts by mass of the second spherical alumina, and from 1 to 10 parts by mass of the first magnesium hydroxide may be blended in a mass ratio in 100 parts by mass of the first thermally conductive filler. From 90 to 100 parts by mass of aluminum hydroxide and from 0 to 10 parts by mass of the second magnesium hydroxide may be blended in the second thermally conductive filler at a mass ratio in 100 parts by mass of the second thermally conductive filler.

[0080] (C) The first layer may be configured to have an Asker C hardness from 0.1 to 22 and a thermal conductivity from 2 to 15 W/m.Math.K.

[0081] (D) The plurality of layers may include a third layer stacked at a position in contact with the first layer on a side opposite to the second layer with the first layer interposed therebetween. The third layer may be formed of a resin film having a thickness of 1 to 15 m.