Investigation Reveals Dangerous Thermal Paste Corroding PC Hardware

The Hidden Danger in Thermal Interface Materials

While most computer enthusiasts focus on visible components like graphics cards and processors, a critical but often overlooked element—thermal paste—has recently emerged as a potential hardware killer. New research reveals that certain thermal interface materials can actively damage the very components they’re designed to protect, raising serious concerns about product safety and manufacturer accountability.

The Hidden Danger in Thermal Interface Materials
When Cooling Solution Becomes Destruction Source
The Chemistry Behind the Corrosion
User Reports Confirm Laboratory Findings
Manufacturer Response Raises Red Flags
Market Availability Creates Widespread Risk
Safe Alternatives for System Builders
Protecting Your Hardware Investment

When Cooling Solution Becomes Destruction Source

According to detailed analysis by PC hardware expert Igor Wallossek of IgorsLab, the SGT-4 thermal paste manufactured by South Korean company Amech contains chemical compounds that actively corrode metal surfaces. Unlike typical thermal pastes that gradually degrade in performance, this product reportedly causes physical damage to both CPUs and cooling solutions through chemical reactions.

“The corrosion creates microscopic pitting on metal surfaces,” Wallossek explained in his technical breakdown. “This not only reduces heat transfer efficiency but can actually fuse processors to heatsinks, requiring dangerous force to separate them.”, according to industry analysis

The Chemistry Behind the Corrosion

Wallossek’s laboratory analysis identified the root cause as an unusual formulation choice. While most thermal pastes use stable silicone bases, SGT-4 reportedly incorporates acetoxy-crosslinked RTV silicone containing methyltriacetoxysilane. This compound reacts with atmospheric moisture to release acetic acid—the same substance found in vinegar.

“The vinegar-like odor reported by users is literally the scent of their hardware being corroded,” Wallossek noted. The released acid oxidizes copper and other metals in cooling systems, creating the characteristic pitting and bonding effect., according to technology insights

User Reports Confirm Laboratory Findings

On South Korean technical forum Quasar Zone, multiple users reported identical issues:, according to according to reports

Permanent CPU and heatsink damage from pitting corrosion
Difficulty separating components due to adhesive bonding
Persistent vinegar-like odors emanating from systems
Thermal performance degradation over short periods

Metallurgy experts examining user-submitted photographs confirmed the corrosion patterns matched Wallossek’s chemical analysis.

Manufacturer Response Raises Red Flags

Rather than addressing the technical concerns, Amech representatives dismissed the reports as baseless and launched personal attacks against critics. The company pointed to environmental certifications unrelated to corrosion testing and made unsubstantiated claims about product safety.

Further investigation reveals concerning details about Amech’s business operations:

No official company website exists
Professional email domains are absent
No verifiable physical address is available
Product origins remain unclear—possibly rebranded imports

Market Availability Creates Widespread Risk

Despite these concerns, SGT-4 remains widely available on major e-commerce platforms including Amazon and Newegg, where artificially inflated ratings may mislead consumers. The product’s presentation and marketing materials create a false impression of professional-grade quality.

Safe Alternatives for System Builders

For those seeking reliable thermal solutions, established products from reputable manufacturers include:

Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut: High-performance paste trusted by overclockers
Arctic MX-6: Recent upgrade to the popular MX series with improved longevity
Noctua NT-H2: Engineered for consistent performance across temperature ranges

These products have extensive testing histories and manufacturer transparency about their chemical composition and application characteristics., as earlier coverage

Protecting Your Hardware Investment

This situation highlights the importance of researching even seemingly minor components. Before purchasing any thermal interface material:

Verify manufacturer credentials and contact information
Search for independent laboratory testing
Review technical discussions on reputable forums
Be skeptical of products with limited company history

The thermal paste market contains many excellent products, but as this case demonstrates, proper due diligence is essential for protecting valuable computer hardware from potentially destructive components.