Thermal bonding and potting. Dow DOWSIL SE 4486 Thermally Conductive Adhesive is a one-component, moisture- and heat-curing silicone elastomer used for potting power supplies and attaching base plates and heat sinks. It offers good dielectric properties, stress relief, a wide temperature range, and resistance to harsh environments. It is flowable, tack-free, and has controlled volatility.
Performance profile. Dow characterizes SE 4486 as a one-part, white, roughly 1.6 W/mK thermally conductive adhesive formulated for sealing and bonding components in electronics applications such as electronic control units (ECU), home appliances, and power devices. It is a room-temperature cure product with good adhesion and a fast tack-free time.
How it works. One-part RTV thermally conductive materials cure on exposure to moisture to produce a durable, relatively low-stress elastomer with a noncorrosive by-product. As electronics grow more compact and generate more heat, thermally conductive adhesives act as a thermal bridge, moving heat from the device to a heat sink or the surrounding air for cooler, more reliable operation.
Handling notes. As a moisture-cure material, cure depth and speed depend on humidity and section thickness, so deep or confined sections cure more slowly. Review the product and Safety Data Sheets, and validate cure for your geometry before production.
Recommended For
Potting power supplies
Attaching base plates and heat sinks
Bonding electronic control units (ECU)
Home appliance and power devices
Applications needing combined thermal transfer and adhesion
Key properties: Good dielectric properties, stress relief, wide temperature range, flowable, tack-free, controlled volatility
Container size: 330 mL cartridge
Primary Industries
Electronics and PCB manufacturing
Automotive electronics (ECU)
Home appliance manufacturing
Power device manufacturing
Standards and Certifications
None specified by source
FAQs
What is DOWSIL SE 4486 used for?
It is a one-part thermally conductive silicone adhesive used to pot power supplies and attach base plates and heat sinks, and to seal and bond components in electronics. Dow highlights applications such as electronic control units, home appliances, and power devices where heat transfer and adhesion are both needed.
How thermally conductive is SE 4486?
Dow characterizes it as roughly a 1.6 W/mK thermally conductive adhesive, meaning it moves heat away from components better than an unfilled silicone while also bonding them in place. It combines this thermal path with good dielectric properties, giving both electrical insulation and heat management.
How does SE 4486 cure?
It is a one-part material that cures on exposure to atmospheric moisture at room temperature, with a fast tack-free time and good adhesion. Because moisture drives the cure, cure speed and depth depend on humidity and section thickness, so deep or confined areas cure more slowly than thin exposed ones.
Is the cure by-product corrosive?
Dow notes that one-part RTV thermally conductive materials of this type cure to a durable, relatively low-stress elastomer with a noncorrosive by-product, which is helpful around sensitive metals and electronics. As always, confirm compatibility with your specific substrates and review the Safety Data Sheet before use.
Why use a thermally conductive adhesive at all?
As electronic devices get smaller and more powerful, they generate more heat, and managing that heat is critical for efficiency and reliability. A thermally conductive adhesive acts as a thermal bridge, carrying heat from the device to a heat sink or ambient air while also mechanically bonding the parts.
