The selection of a Layer Material is not typically a difficult choice, but it is necessary to determine the Layer Material option the customer wants or will accept. The default Layer Material option is the fiberglass reinforcement “G” layer option which enhances the ability to handle these soft pads. This fiberglass layer is offset towards one side of the Gap Pad, allowing for easy pad removal and reuse at that interface, so prototyping and rework are easy. Some customers will want the Gap Pad to bond directly to one surface and stay in place during disassembly. The “A” option, with the pressure sensitive acrylic adhesive on an aluminum carrier, meets this requirement. Because of the PSA, prototyping with the “A” layer option is not very effective, as the pad can not be reused once removed. The FILM Layer option is rarely used and applies only to the 569 and 579 products. Typically, the PN or KT film option is necessary when the Therm-A-Gap™ 500 series pads will be seeing Shearing Forces. Because of the inherent tackiness of the 500 Series products, any shearing forces tend to get the Thermal Pad to stick to the body shearing against it, which in turn damages the gasket. The film option provides a low friction surface interface for the shearing motion to take place upon, without damaging the 500 Series gasket. The distinction between the PN and KT options is given on this slide. The No Layer, or “un-reinforced”, option for the 579 material has the two advantages of improved thermal performance and lower compression forces. However, the disadvantages of no layer material are that cutting and handling of the product is more difficult. Rarely has a customer found the advantages sufficient to outweigh the disadvantages.