SpreaderShield™ SS500
SpreaderShield™ SS500 is a natural graphite flexible heat spreader and heat shield with an in-plane thermal conductivity of 500 W/m·K and a through-plane thermal conductivity of 2.8 W/m·K, available in thicknesses from 0.076 to 0.40 mm. It delivers a thermal contact impedance of 0.90 °C·cm²/W per side at 0.102 mm, a tensile strength of 7.7 MPa, an in-plane electrical conductivity of 2,400 S/cm, and an operating temperature range of -40°C to +400°C. The material is UL 94V-0 rated and RoHS compliant.
Key Properties
- Thermal Conductivity — In-Plane: 500 W/m·K
- Thermal Conductivity — Through-Plane: 2.8 W/m·K
- Thermal Contact Impedance Per Side: 0.90 °C·cm²/W @ 0.102 mm thickness
- Operating Temperature Range: -40°C to +400°C
- Thickness Capability Range: 0.076 – 0.40 mm
UL Flammability Rating: 94V-0
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- Specifications
- Applications
- General Info
- FAQs
Physical Properties
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Thickness Capability Range | 0.076 – 0.40 mm | — |
| Typical Roll Thickness • Width | 0.40 • 508 mm, 0.20 • 457 mm, 0.127 • 440 mm, 0.076 • 400 mm | — |
| Tensile Strength | 7.7 MPa | — |
Thermal Properties
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Thermal Conductivity — In-Plane | 500 W/m·K | Neograf Standard Method |
| Thermal Conductivity — Through-Plane | 2.8 W/m·K | ASTM D5470 Modified |
| Thermal Contact Impedance Per Side | 0.90 °C·cm²/W @ 0.102 mm | — |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion — In-Plane | –0.4 ppm/°C | — |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion — Through-Plane | 27.0 ppm/°C | — |
| Specific Heat @ 50°C | 0.81 J/g·°C | Quasi-Isothermal Modulated DSC |
| Operating Temperature Range | –40°C to +400°C | — |
Electrical Properties
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Electrical Resistivity — In-Plane | 4.2 µΩ·m | — |
| Electrical Conductivity — In-Plane | 2,400 S/cm | — |
| Electrical Conductivity — Through-Plane | 15 S/cm | — |
Flame & Fire Performance
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| UL Flammability Rating | 94V-0 | — |
Regulatory / Compliance Data
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| RoHS Compliant | Yes | — |
| Lead / Halogen-Free | Yes | — |
Compliance
- UL 94V-0 — Compliant
- RoHS — Compliant
- Lead / Halogen-Free — Yes
- Passive heat spreading in electronics requiring high in-plane thermal conductivity in thin-gauge flexible graphite
- Heat shielding in space-constrained thermal management assemblies
- Die-cut thermal management components for high-density electronics, LED modules, and portable devices
- Laminated graphite assemblies for applications requiring high lateral heat distribution at thicknesses between 0.076 and 0.40 mm
- Thermal management in automotive and power electronics assemblies operating across –40°C to +400°C
Common industries: Electronics, LED lighting, consumer devices, automotive, telecommunications, thermal management systems.
SpreaderShield™ SS500 is the third grade in the SpreaderShield™ natural graphite flexible heat spreader series, delivering 500 W/m·K in-plane thermal conductivity — higher than SS350 and SS400 — in a mid-range thickness configuration of 0.076 to 0.40 mm. It functions simultaneously as a passive heat spreader and heat shield, and the flexible graphite construction can be die-cut or laminated with plastics and/or adhesives. Typical roll configurations are 0.40 mm × 508 mm, 0.20 mm × 457 mm, 0.127 mm × 440 mm, and 0.076 mm × 400 mm.
The material achieves a tensile strength of 7.7 MPa — the lowest in the natural graphite series — a coefficient of thermal expansion of –0.4 ppm/°C in-plane and 27.0 ppm/°C through-plane, a specific heat of 0.81 J/g·°C at 50°C, and an in-plane electrical resistivity of 4.2 µΩ·m. Through-plane electrical conductivity is 15 S/cm.
The through-plane thermal conductivity of 2.8 W/m·K is the lowest in the natural graphite series, and the thermal contact impedance reference condition is at 0.102 mm thickness versus 0.51 mm for SS350 and SS400. In-plane thermal conductivity is determined by Neograf Standard Method; through-plane thermal conductivity is determined by ASTM D5470 Modified method.
Properties listed are typical and cannot be used as acceptance or rejection criteria; product characteristics exclude coatings and adhesives.
Compliant with UL 94V-0, RoHS; lead and halogen-free.
What differentiates SS500 from SS350, SS400, and SS600?
SS500 delivers the third-highest in-plane thermal conductivity in the natural graphite series at 500 W/m·K and is available in a mid-range thickness of 0.076–0.40 mm. Its through-plane thermal conductivity of 2.8 W/m·K is the lowest in the series. Tensile strength of 7.7 MPa is also the lowest in the natural graphite group. The thermal contact impedance reference condition is at 0.102 mm versus 0.51 mm for SS350 and SS400, reflecting the thinner typical gauge of this grade.
Why does in-plane thermal conductivity matter for heat spreader selection?
In-plane thermal conductivity determines how efficiently SpreaderShield™ SS500 spreads heat laterally from a concentrated source. At 500 W/m·K, SS500 distributes heat more broadly than SS350 and SS400, reducing peak temperatures in high-flux density applications where localized heating would otherwise concentrate at a small source footprint.
What is the operating temperature range for SS500?
The operating temperature range for SS500 is –40°C to +400°C as listed on the TDS.
Is SS500 suitable for flame-rated environments?
Yes. SS500 carries a UL 94V-0 flammability rating and is RoHS compliant, lead-free, and halogen-free.
How should SS500 be specified?
Specify grade (SpreaderShield™ SS500), thickness, coating options (plastic lamination, adhesive type), compliance requirements, dimensional tolerances, and finished format.
