Silicone material around buffer chips.

[n3lka]

I'm curious about the cured silicone material I see around most chips and some caps/transistors, mostly on y buffer boards. Does it have heat dissipation properties, or is it for insulation? I'm assuming it's some type of heatsink compound. If it is heatsink material, is it like this stuff I see on ebay?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Silicone-The...p2054897.l4275

I want to see if I can make a good y buffer board for a panasonic I'm working on, and try my hand at new soldering techniques. If I successfully remove a bad chip and replace it with a good one, I want to make sure the it's not going to die from overheating.

I've never did any work with this new medium, and would like to try it out.

Thanks,
Brian

[SteveNielsen]

Re: Silicone material around buffer chips.

Probably glue used to hold parts on the board before they are soldered in place. The stuff that turns yellowish/brown can become conductive as it ages.

[n3lka]

Re: Silicone material around buffer chips.

I'll upload a picture when I get a chance. This stuff encapsulates the entire chip on the edges.