Wednesday, 18 October 2017

Why a Copper Heat Sink is Often the Heat Sink of Choice

A heat sink transfers heat generated by a mechanical or electronic device to a medium such as a liquid coolant or air. From there, the heat is dissipated and allows the regulation of a device's optimal temperature levels.

A heat sink cools graphics processors or central processing units in computers. High-power semiconductor devices such as optoelectronics or power transistors have an insufficient ability to dissipate heat. A heat sink is used to moderate the temperature.

A heat sink maximizes the surface area that is in contact with the surrounding cooling medium. The heat sink performance is affected by factors such as 
  • Surface treatment 
  • Protrusion design 
  • Choice of material 
Thermal interface material and heat sink attachment methods also affect an integrated circuit's die temperature. Thermal grease and thermal adhesive improve the performance of a heat sink by filling gaps between a device's heat spreader and the heat sink.

Copper Heat Sinks  

Many heatsinks are made of copper. A copper heat sink has desirable properties for thermally durable and efficient heat exchangers. A copper heat sink is an excellent conductor of heat. The high thermal conductivity of the copper heat sink allows heat, to quickly pass through the device.

Other desirable properties of a copper heat sink are

  • Antimicrobial resistance 
  • Biofouling resistance 
  • Corrosion resistance  

A copper heat sink has about two times the thermal conductivity as that of an aluminum heat sink. The conductivity is faster and has more heat absorption than a heat sink made of aluminum. Uses for the copper heat sink include:

  • Electronics 
  • Geothermal cooling and heating 
  • Forced air cooling and heating systems 
  • Gas water heaters 
  • HVAC systems 
  • Solar thermal water systems 
  • Power plants 
  • Industrial facilities 
Copper heat sinks are more expensive than aluminum heat sinks and are three times denser.  They are skived and machined. Another manufacturing method is soldering the fins into the base of the heat sink. 

To know more about heat sink and copper heatsink visit to website.

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