Impact of thermal interface material on luminous flux curve of InGaAlP low-power light-emitting diodes

Purpose One major problem in the lighting industry is the thermal management of the devices. Handling of thermal resistance from solder point to the ambiance of the light-emitting diode (LED) package is linked to the external thermal management that includes a selection of the cooling mode, design of heatsink/substrate and thermal interface material (TIM). Among the significant factors that increase the light output of the of the LED system are efficient substrate and TIM. In this work, the influence of TIM on the luminous flux performance of commercial indium gallium aluminium phosphide (InGaAlP) low-power (LP) LEDs was investigated. Design/methodology/approach One batch of LEDs was mounted directly onto substrates which were glass-reinforced epoxy (FR4) and aluminium-based metal-core printed circuit boards (MCPCBs) with a dielectric layer of different thermal conductivities. Another batch of LEDs was prepared in a similar way, but a layer of TIM was embedded between the LED package and substrate. The TIMs were thermally conductive epoxy (TCE) and thermally conductive adhesive (TCA). The LED parameters were measured by using the integrated system of thermal transient tester (T3Ster) and thermal-radiometric characterization of LEDs at various input currents. Findings With the employment of TIM, the authors found that the LED’s maximum luminous flux was significantly higher than the value mentioned in the LED datasheet, and that a significant reduction in thermal resistance and junction temperature was revealed. The results showed that for a system with low thermal resistance, the maximum luminous flux appeared to occur at a higher power level. It was found that the maximum luminous flux was 24.10, 28.40 and 36.00 lm for the LEDs mounted on the FR4 and two MCPCBs, respectively. After TCA application on the LEDs, the maximum luminous flux values were 32.70, 36.60 and 37.60 lm for the FR4 and MCPCBs, respectively. Moreover, the findings demonstrated that the performance of the LED mounted on the FR4 substrate was more affected by the employment of the TIM than that of MCPCBs. Research limitations/implications One of the major problems in the lighting industry is the thermal management of the device. In many low-power LED applications, the air gap between the two solder pads is not filled up. Heat flow is restricted by the air gap leading to thermal build-up and higher thermal resistance resulting in lower maximum luminous flux. Among the significant factors that increase the light output of the LED system are efficient substrate and TIM. Practical implications The findings in this work can be used as a method to improve thermal management of LP LEDs by applying thermal interface materials that can offer more efficient and brighter LP LEDs. Using aluminium-based substrates can also offer similar benefits. Social implications Users of LP LEDs can benefit from the findings in this work. Brighter automotive lighting (signalling and backlighting) can be achieved, and better automotive lighting can offer better safety for the people on the street, especially during raining and foggy weather. User can also use a lower LED power rating to achieve similar brightness level with LED with higher power rating. Originality/value Better thermal management of commercial LP LEDs was achieved with the employment of thermal interface materials resulting in lower thermal resistance, lower junction temperature and brighter LEDs.