Just received the 2 test thermal pads in the mail from Digikey.
BER165-ND is 3 mm thick and pliable. It runs about about $3.50 per OpenPCR (28 parts fit in a $94 sheet). 3M9601-ND is 2.5 mm thick and very soft, and about $1.20 per OpenPCR (25 parts fit on a $30 sheet)
We’ll want to test these out with our current heated lid to see that they work great and make it easy to maintain the temperature of samples. Once we receive the first set of aluminum and a new wooden case from Ponoko, we’ll be able to test these out even better.