Possible to remove AS Thermal Epoxy?

~~BMG_Cya=-~~ · Mar 20, 2004, 04:37 AM

I have heard that Thermal Epoxy can be removed if you heat it up with a hair dryer....put the stuff in
the freezer, and have also heard thatno you can't remove something once you have applied it.

Any definitive answers out there?

El Kapitano · Mar 21, 2004, 06:18 AM

I've heard that you need to downmix the epoxy with ordinary tim to make it removable. I've also seen horrific damage inflicted on a motherboard whilst trying to freeze & break a thermal epoxied HS off components.

I've just watercooled my rig and 9800xt and I think the ram is holding me back. I'm going to be doing a trial on different epoxy strengths this week so I'll let you know when I'm done.

I'll be mixing AS thermal epoxy in differing ratios with some coolermaster premium compound I've got lying about the place. I would use AS5 but I don't want conductive/capacitive adhesive. I'd also prefer to use AS ceramique but I haven't got any.

El Kapitano · Mar 27, 2004, 10:34 AM

Right - here we go, the (almost) definitive answer....

Using AS thermal epoxy and Coolermaster premium thermal compound I mixed up a variety of ratios of epoxy to thermal compound and, using some discarded coolermaster copper ramsinks I have lying around proceeded to glue them to a piece of plywood. They were allowed to set for 24 hours and thenn removed using a pair of pliers using a twisting action. I then attempted to clean the resultant debris off the ramsink as you would need to if you were selling or RMAing the item. Solvent used was my old favourite: Cellulose thinners. Results as follows:-

100% epoxy - split off timber from ply - impossible to clean off with solvent.
10% TIM to 90% epoxy - split off timber from ply - not recommended.
30% TIM to 70% epoxy - broke cleanly but took some effort - will not clean off completely.
50% TIM to 50% epoxy - broke cleanly had good adhesion - cleans off relatively easily.

I didn't try other mixes as this seemed to me to be the best trade off especially if you move your rig about. The last thing you want is a metal heatsink floating about your electronics.

nuG · Mar 28, 2004, 02:08 AM

thanks for th einfo, i just git sime ramsinks and i was wondering about that

dipstick · Apr 1, 2004, 09:00 AM

Not sure if this would help on a thick layer but I've used brake cleaner before and it broke the stuff up fairly easy(that was on a 50/50 mix of Arctic epoxy). You can get it pretty cheap at any auto parts store like AutoZone.
Good luck