The Difference between Bonded Grid Arrays and BGA Heat Sinks

Engineers are faced with increased performance demands and miniaturization. Heat dissipation is an issue for both challenges. If heat dissipation were not necessary, all electronic devices would operate faster. Heat dissipation is necessary to keep devices from becoming unreliable, overheating, and failing. To produce reliable devices with long life and acceptable performance, heat dissipation must be introduced. Heat sinks are a method of removing heat.

Heatsinks are devices that dissipate heat from a heat generating component to a medium, usually air that is cooler. Heat sinks placed on hot components improve the transfer of heat by an increase of surface area that has direct air contact. The component’s operating temperature is lowered as heat is dissipated. Heat sinks maintain the temperature of a device below the maximum specified by the manufacturer. 

To choose the appropriate heat sink necessary for thermal performance various parameters are considered and calculations performed. Extruded heatsinks allow two-dimensional profile formations that dissipate large heat loads. BGA heat sinks are simple extrusions. BGA heat sinks typically convert extruded fins into pins. The BGA heat sinks are crosscut to allow more diverse applications.

Bonded grid arrays are built to customer specifications. Very few power electronic applications are the same. A one-size-fits-all theory is not feasible. Bonded grid arrays dissipate as much as three times the amount of heat dissipated by the average extruded heatsink. Two styles of bonded grid arrays are available. They are single and folded fins. Fin density, thickness, and height are used in countless combinations to provide the desired performance.

For further details about bonded grid arrays and bga heat sinks please visit the website.

Benefits of Extruded Aluminum Heatsinks

Extruded aluminum heatsinks provide a range of convection solutions for high power systems and components. Complex structures force raw aluminum through a die. The complex fin profiles allow heat dissipation through a greater surface area while eliminating the time and cost associated with using block aluminum machining to make an equivalent shape.

There are many benefits to using extruded aluminum heatsinks. Stamped heat sinks are not as efficient as extruded aluminum heatsinks. Heat sink extrusions cost less than fully machined assemblies. Many standard sizes and shapes are available. Heat sink extrusions are easy to customize for any application. A significant weight advantage exists compared to copper. Mounting tools and hardware are eliminated.

Heat sink extrusions combined with friction stir welding technology provide high-performing, cost-effective solutions. Heat sinks that are cooled by friction stir welding provide a product of higher quality and more efficient than pressed or bonded fin products.

Extruded heat sinks are the most common type used for thermal management. Extruded materials start as 30 to 40 sticks that are very soft. The material is grabbed and stretched to produce straight sticks. After being stretched, the material is either over or air aged depending on the hardness required. Final fabrication such as pockets and holes are cut after the aging process.

A finish is usually applied to enhance the thermal performance. A chromate finish provides somewhat of a corrosion protector. It is also used as a primer before a powder coating, or final paint is applied. Extruded shapes are unique to the needed requirements, yet are the most cost-effective solution for cooling. Each shape is designed to achieve the optimal structural and thermal performance. 

 For further details about extruded aluminum heatsinks and heat sink extrusions please visit the website.