Design Considerations About Heat Sink

When design heat sink,the heat sink has fins that provide the necessary surface area to dissipate the heat. The fins act to cool the source of the heat and the heat sink itself. Consequently, the efficiency of the fins is an important aspect of the heat sink’s performance.

Heat flows through the fin, the temperature decreases from its base to its end, from a combination of the heat sink’s thermal resistance, heat lost due to convection and the temperature of the fin.

The arrangements of fins in a heat sink also affects its performance. For example, heat sinks with pins that are either elliptical, cylindrical or square are fairly commonplace. Another type is a heat sink with a straight fin, running the entire length of the heat sink.

Colour can also be a consideration, since black surfaces with a matte finish radiate heat more efficiently than bare metal with a shiny surface.

The most effective heat sink for a specific function will combine good thermal management with suitable mechanical design, taking into account practical needs and cost effectiveness.