[Edaily Reporter Kim Hyung-il ] Orient Precision Co., Ltd. ( Orient Precision Industries Inc.(065500)), a company specializing in electric vehicle components, announced on the 1st that it has completed the development of a prototype for a high-performance magnesium oxide (MgO)-based gap filler and is making a full-scale entry into the electric vehicle thermal management materials business.

Orient Precision Industries Inc. has completed the development of a prototype MgO gap filler with a maximum thermal conductivity of 12 W/m·K and has begun testing under real-world application conditions. A gap filler is a thermal interface material (TIM) that fills microscopic gaps between components—such as in electric vehicle battery packs and power electronic components—to facilitate heat transfer. As the importance of efficient thermal management grows due to the increasing power output, high performance, and battery capacity of electric vehicles, demand for related materials is also expanding.

Since 2022, Orient Precision Industries Inc. has been developing heat dissipation materials using high-performance MgO through collaborative research projects. While MgO is a material that combines thermal conductivity with electrical insulation, it presents technical challenges such as moisture sensitivity, cost, and processing and formulation issues; therefore, technology capable of stably controlling its material properties is crucial.

In addition, Orient Precision Industries Inc. has recently optimized the properties of MgO particles by applying powder surface modification technology and has completed the production of gap filler prototypes. By adjusting particle size, shape, and formulation ratios, the company has developed a product with a maximum thermal conductivity of 12 W/m·K.

Orient Precision Industries Inc. plans to verify the characteristics required for automotive parts—such as thermal conductivity, insulation, and durability—using these prototypes. The company intends to confirm the product’s performance and reliability for actual use in electric vehicle components through application testing with its customers.

The company is also simultaneously establishing a raw material supply chain and production processes for mass production. By setting up a step-by-step mass production system—covering everything from raw material procurement to mixing, production, and quality control—the company intends to prepare for future customer applications and expanded supply.

Orient Precision Industries Inc. plans to expand its portfolio of thermal interface materials, starting with MgO-based gap fillers and moving on to products such as urethane adhesives. The company’s strategy is to broaden its business scope into the electric vehicle thermal management sector by combining its existing capabilities in manufacturing electrification components with thermal management material technology.

An official from Orient Precision Industries Inc. said, “As electric vehicles become more powerful and high-performance, thermal management of batteries and power electronic components is becoming increasingly important,” adding, “Based on the development of magnesium oxide gap filler prototypes, we will conduct customer testing and reliability verification before moving forward with establishing a mass production system.”