Customized Service Quality Description Of Aluminum1060 Skived Heat Sink

Description Of Copper Skived Fin Heat Sink

Skived aluminum heat sinks offer the maximum heat dissipation in applications that have high airflow and small space. The thermal conductivity of aluminum (~226 W/m-K) is the highest among all the commercial metals, and the skiving technology allows the heat sinks to have very thin fins, high aspect ratio and high fin density. Because the fins are an integral part of the base, skived aluminum heat sinks provide the best possible thermal conductivity between the fins and the base. When optimized to specific applications, skived Aluminum heat sinks offer outstanding performance over any other thermal solutions within the small space. In some applications, the skiving technology is also the most cost-effective and reliable method of producing heat sinks that meet high thermal demands.

Specification Of Skived Heat Sink

Design Guidelines

1. Material: Copper (C11000) or Aluminum (6063/1060)
2. Maximum width: unlimited
3. Maximum fin length: 500 mm (20″)
4. Maximum fin height: 100 mm (4”)
5. Recommended fin height: <50 mm (2”)
6. Recommended thickness for aluminum fins: 0.2-1.2 mm (0.008-0.047”)
7. Recommended thickness for copper fins: 0.1-0.6 mm (0.004-0.024”)
8. Minimum fin spacing (gap): 0.1 mm (0.004”)
9. Maximum fin spacing (gap): 8.0 mm (0.31”)

How is a Skived Heatsink manufactured?

A Skived Heatsink is manufactured using a skiving machine that uses a blade to cut material in thin slices, and then push the skived fin up. For a heatsink application, the manufacture of ultra thin fins is possible, and we have produced fins as thin as .008”. The process allows high aspect ratios that provide greater surface area for maximum heat dissipation. We typically use this process for copper Skived heatsinks, however Aluminum Skiving is possible. As this is very easy to set up, typically there are minimal setup fees which allow for rapid prototyping of new designs. It is possible to machine additional features after the skiving process has been completed, but requires an experience to avoid stresses on the heatsink.

How to identify a Skived Heatsink

It is fairly easy to identify Skived Heatsink as the heatsink has a curve where the blade finishes its cut at the base of the heatsink as shown in the picture. In addition, the fins are not completely vertical, and curve slightly. This is more pronounced at the fins get taller. Typical width of the plate fin is 200 mm, but it is possible to manufacture up to 400 mm wide heatsinks by rotating the block of material and running a second pass with the curvature of the fins being in the opposite direction. As a Skived heatsink is manufactured from a long block of material, the only is no real limit to length of the heatsink is the length of the block. Different heights can be achieved by machining the block of material. Any excess material is recycled to reduce wastage. Typical Finishes for Aluminum skived heatsink are Anodization, or Nickel Plated. Typical finished for Copper Skived heatsinks are Anti-Oxidant, or Nickel Plated.

The Skiving Process

Skived heat sinks are manufactured by peeling fins from a bar of solid copper or aluminum, using a sharp and accurately controlled blade tool. The tool shaves a small thickness of the material, lifts it up and bends it vertically to form the fin. The final heat sink can be machined using normal fabrication techniques, such as CNC machining. Skived heat sinks require minimal tooling cost, which makes it a cost effective solution. Skived heat sinks can also be customized with embedded heat pipes to further improve performance.

Application Of Aluminum Heat Sink

Skived copper heat sinks deliver maximum heat dissipation in applications with limited space and high levels of ventilation. They are a cost effective solution when considering the low tooling cost and the optimized fin surface area.

Skived fin heat sinks are commonly found in the following applications:

1. Computers and electronic components
2. Telecommunication equipment
3. Industrial equipment and components
4. Lighting lamps and household appliances industry
5. Automotive components

Skived heat sinks can be constructed of aluminum or copper allowing for full, one-piece copper solutions for high performance cooling. Fodor's standard copper skived fin heat sinks are available with Shurlock pin attachments for reliable mounting and easy assembly.

For rapid thermal modeling and comparison of multiple heat sink constructions please try to contact us, we can offer the free design.