In summary, each of the three thermal testing methods reviewed offer their own distinct advantages and disadvantages when it comes to measuring thermal properties of thermal interface materials. Chomerics has chosen to represent thermal materials using one of the most popular methods, ASTM D5470, which characterizes the material in steady-state as it would be used in an application. The transient test methods including the Laser Flash and Hot Disk Method are widely used in the industry as well, although the measured values may not be indicative of how the material will behave in an application, they are quick tests to run to obtain a general understanding of the material. Knowing that each method utilizes very different measurement techniques, it is important to keep this in mind when comparing data sheet values across thermal interface material suppliers.