Find HS Code and trade information for thermal grease

Thermal Grease

Thermal grease, also known as thermal paste, thermal compound, heat sink compound, or thermal interface material (TIM), is a thermally conductive compound used to improve heat transfer between a heat source (typically a CPU, GPU, or other semiconductor) and a heat sink.

Material Composition

Thermal greases are typically composed of a carrier fluid and thermally conductive filler materials.

• Carrier Fluids: These provide the paste’s consistency and aid in spreading. Common carrier fluids include silicone-based compounds, ceramic-filled compounds, and metal-based compounds. Silicone-based greases are most common due to their cost-effectiveness and ease of use.
• Filler Materials: These are responsible for the majority of the thermal conductivity. Common fillers include:
  • Metal Oxides: Zinc oxide, aluminum oxide, and magnesium oxide are common, offering a balance of performance and cost.
  • Ceramics: Aluminum nitride and boron nitride provide good insulation properties in addition to thermal conductivity.
  • Metal Particles: Silver, aluminum, and copper particles offer the highest thermal conductivity but are more expensive and can be electrically conductive.
  • Carbon-Based Materials: Carbon nanotubes and graphene are emerging fillers offering high performance.

Purpose and Function

The primary purpose of thermal grease is to fill microscopic air gaps between the heat source and the heat sink. Air is a poor conductor of heat. By replacing air with a thermally conductive material, thermal grease significantly reduces thermal resistance and improves heat transfer efficiency. This is critical for maintaining stable operating temperatures and preventing overheating of sensitive components.

Usage Scenarios

• Computer CPUs and GPUs: The most common application, ensuring efficient cooling of processors and graphics cards.
• LED Lighting: Used to dissipate heat from high-power LEDs.
• Power Electronics: Applied to power transistors, MOSFETs, and other heat-generating components.
• Chipsets and Memory Modules: Used in situations where heat needs to be efficiently transferred from these components.
• Any application where a heat source needs to be effectively cooled using a heat sink.

Common Types

• Silicone-Based: Most common type; affordable, non-conductive, and easy to apply. Performance varies widely depending on the filler content.
• Ceramic-Based: Good balance of performance and cost; electrically insulating.
• Metal-Based: Highest thermal conductivity; can be electrically conductive, requiring careful application to avoid short circuits. Often contain silver, aluminum, or copper particles.
• Carbon-Based: Emerging type offering high performance; typically more expensive.
• Phase Change Materials: Change from solid to liquid at a specific temperature, filling gaps effectively.
• Liquid Metal: Offers extremely high thermal conductivity but is electrically conductive and can be corrosive to certain materials (e.g., aluminum). Requires specialized application techniques.

Thermal grease, typically used to enhance heat transfer between components like CPUs and heat sinks, falls under the category of lubricating oils and greases with or without additives.

Here are the relevant HS codes based on the provided reference material:

• 2710194000: Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals (other than crude) and preparations not elsewhere specified or included, containing by weight 70 percent or more of petroleum oils or of oils obtained from bituminous minerals, these oils being the basic constituents of the preparations, other than those containing biodiesel and other than waste oils: Other: Lubricating oils and greases, with or without additives: Greases: Other.

  • Chapter 27: Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals. This chapter broadly covers crude petroleum and products derived from it.
  • Heading 2710: Specifically addresses petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals (excluding crude) and preparations based on them.
  • Subheading 271019: Further defines preparations containing 70% or more of these oils, excluding biodiesel and waste oils.
  • 27101940: Specifically categorizes lubricating oils and greases, with or without additives, falling under the broader category of "Other" greases.

• 2710193500: Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals (other than crude) and preparations not elsewhere specified or included, containing by weight 70 percent or more of petroleum oils or of oils obtained from bituminous minerals, these oils being the basic constituents of the preparations, other than those containing biodiesel and other than waste oils: Other: Lubricating oils and greases, with or without additives: Greases: Containing not over 10 percent by weight of salts of fatty acids of animal (including marine animal) or vegetable origin.

  • Chapter 27: Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals.
  • Heading 2710: Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals (excluding crude) and preparations based on them.
  • Subheading 271019: Preparations containing 70% or more of these oils, excluding biodiesel and waste oils.
  • 27101935: Specifically categorizes greases containing not over 10 percent by weight of salts of fatty acids of animal or vegetable origin.

Tax Rate Information:

Both HS codes 2710194000 and 2710193500 share the following tax details:

• Basic Tariff: 1.3¢/kg + 5.7%
• Additional Tariff: 25.0%
• Tariff after April 2, 2025: Additional Tariff of 30.0%
• Total Tariff: 1.3¢/kg + 5.7% + 55.0%

Important Note: The reference material indicates that both HS codes apply to lubricating oils and greases. The distinction lies in the composition of fatty acid salts. If the thermal grease contains over 10% by weight of salts of fatty acids of animal or vegetable origin, HS code 2710193500 is more appropriate. Otherwise, HS code 2710194000 should be used.