Can I use a thick layer of thermal adhesive (need electrical insulate)?

[nobb]

Hi.

I need to keep a few transistors cool for an electronic device (not computer related). I would prefer to attach these transistors (8 total) to one single large heatsink, then actively cool this heatsink. However, the transistors must each be electrically insulated from the heatsink. The easiest way for me to attach these transistors would be to use thermal adhesive (Arctic Silver Alumina Thermal Adhesive) and simply glue them on.

This adhesive is an electric insulator. My question is...can I use a fairly thick layer of this adhesive between my transistor and the heatsink (maybe 1mm)? I need the transistors to be insulated electrically from the heatsink, but I also want it to be thermally conductive. I know that for normal thermal grease, its a bad idea to use a thick layer. I am hoping maybe these adhesive type is different? Or does anyone have any other suggestions how I can cool these transistors (while electrically insulating them from each other)?

 

[Bill Kunert]

Is there any way you can put mica insulators between the transistors and the heat sink to electrically insulate them and then use a thin layer of thermal adhesive to secure them?

 

[nobb]

I have some mica shims laying around, but they are kind of "flaky." I am worried that it wont be as secure because the surface of these mica shims seem to flake off easily.