LEDs are a solid-state lighting form. Typical LED lights are made of small semiconductors; optical lenses, integrated to shape the radiation pattern; and LED heatsinks to keep a low operating temperature for the semiconductor and dissipate heat.
The life expectancy and performance of LED lights are directly linked to operating temperatures. The lower the operating temperature is, the longer the operating life and the better it performs. Thermal management is critical in a LED light design aspect. Thermal management increases the lighting quality and durability. LED lights are cooled by LED heatsinks using natural convection.
Honeycomb LED heatsinks have a LED chip located in the center of the heatsinks. Air passes through the hexagon-shaped holes and is carried away from the chip. The cooling performance of the heatsinks is affected by the rib-space ratio, the honeycomb aspect ratio, and the number of cells that surround the heat source.
Each new generation of devices having semiconductors has shrinking packages and a rise in the levels of power dissipation. Because of this trend, copper heatsinks are being used more often in a variety of applications.
A common technology available in copper heatsinks is the pin fin technology. Copper’s superior thermal properties satisfy challenging cooling requirements. When comparing aluminum and copper heatsinks types of cooling scenarios and the value of copper, copper was recommended.
To understand the impact of copper heatsinks the thermal conductivity of aluminum versus copper must be considered. Applications demanding thermal stability are best served by copper heatsinks. Heatsinks having significant thermal mass are needed when power dissipation has a wide fluctuation, but a constant temperature is needed. In such a situation, copper with its 40 percent higher thermal mass is a better choice than aluminum.
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