HEATSINK TECHNOLOGY

What is A Heatsink?

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What is Heatsink

A heat sink is used in electronic devices to dissipate heat and prevent overheating. It is typically made of a metal such as aluminum or copper. It absorbs and transfers heat from the device’s central processing unit (CPU) or other heat-generating components. Heat sinks work by increasing the surface area available for heat transfer and using fins or other structures to increase the flow of air or other cooling medium over the surface of the heat sink. This helps to keep the device operating at a safe temperature and prevent damage from overheating.

In many applications, the device is an electronic component (e.g. CPUGPUASICFET etc.) and the surrounding fluid is air. The device transfers heat to the heatsink by conduction. The primary mechanism of heat transfer from the heatsink is convection, although radiation also has a minor influence.

There are two distinct types of convection:

  • Natural convection – where the movement of the fluid particles is caused by the local changes in density due to transfer of heat from the surface of a solid to the fluid particles in close proximity.
  • Forced convection – where the movement of the fluid particles is caused by an additional device such as a fan or blower.

Heatsinks are designed to significantly increase the contact surface area between solid and fluid, thereby increasing the opportunity for heat transfer. A typical ASIC may have a surface area in contact with air of only 1600mm2. The surface area of a typical heatsink used to cool that device may be 10 or 20 times that value.

HOW DOES A HEATSINK WORK?

When electronic components operate, they generate heat due to the flow of electricity through them. This heat must be dissipated to prevent the parts from overheating and failing. A heat sink works by absorbing this heat and spreading it out over a larger surface area, allowing it to dissipate more efficiently.

The heat sink is typically attached to the electronic component using a thermal interface material, such as a thermal paste or pad. This material helps to transfer the heat from the component to the heat sink.

Once the heat is transferred to the heatsink, it dissipates into the surrounding air through convection. The larger the surface area of the heat sink, the more efficient it is at dissipating heat.

Adequate cooling is essential for electronic devices, and heatsinks are an important component of any cooling solution. At Radian Thermal Products, inc., we are proud to be one of the leading heatsink suppliers in the industry, offering a wide range of high-quality products and exceptional customer service. Contact us today to learn how we can help meet your cooling needs.

HEATSINK CONSTRUCTION

There are many designs for heatsinks, but they typically comprise a base and a number of protrusions attached to this base. The base is the feature that interfaces with the device to be cooled. Heat is conducted through the base into the protrusions. The protrusions can take several forms, including:

Plate Fin Heatsink Construction
Copper Round Pin Heatsink
Elliptical Fin Heatsink

Heatsinks are usually constructed from copper or aluminum. Copper has a very high thermal conductivity, which means the rate of heat transfer through copper heatsinks is also very high. Whilst lower than that of copper, aluminum’s thermal conductivity is still high and it has the added benefits of lower cost and lower density, making it useful for applications where weight is a major concern.

HEATSINK PERFORMANCE

The performance of heatsinks are a consequence of many parameters, including:

  • Geometry
  • Material
  • Surface treatment
  • Air velocity
  • Interface with device

The last item is very important. Whilst electronic components and heatsink bases are manufactured to be very flat and smooth, at a microscopic level their surfaces are rough. This results in very few points of contact and many tiny air gaps between the component and its heat sink. Air has a low thermal conductivity, resulting in poor conduction of heat from the device to the heatsink. To combat this, a thermal interface material (TIM) can be applied to the base of the heatsink to fill these gaps and provide more conduction paths between device and heatsink.

Heatsink Air Gap Device
Heatsink Thermal Interface Material
Heatsink

Heatsink performance is characterized by its thermal resistance. This parameter can be thought of as the difference in temperature between the air around the heatsink and the device surface in contact with the heat sink per unit of input power. Thermal resistance is denoted by the symbol θ and has the unit °C/W.

The junction temperature (TJ) is the temperature of the hottest part of the device. This is the critical temperature for its correct operation. The case temperature (TC) is the temperature of the surface of the device which is in contact with the heatsink assembly. TC is lower than TJ due to the junction-to-case thermal resistance (θJC). The performance of the heatsink assembly is defined by the case-to-ambient thermal resistance (θCA). This is the difference in temperature between the device surface (TC) and the surrounding air (TA) for a unit of input power.

The increase in TJ over TA for each Watt of thermal power the device generates is the sum of θJC and θCA.

HEATSINK MANUFACTURING METHODS

Heatsinks can be manufactured in a variety of ways depending on the required performance, cost and volume. These include:

  • Machining – where a CNC machine is used to cut the metal
  • Extrusion – where metal is heated and pushed through a mold
  • Forging – where metal is heated and shaped by pressurization
  • Stamping – where the metal fin is cut, and then soldered onto the base
  • Skiving – where a blade is used to slice, and push up the single block of metal

For more complex thermal issues, heatpipes and vapor chambers may be employed within the heatsink assembly. These devices are sealed objects containing a fluid (typically water) and utilize the release of heat during fluid phase changes to vastly increase their conductivity when compared to a solid metallic object of the same geometry.

Radian Thermal Products offers all these manufacturing techniques and we can therefore provide an unbiased approach to each thermal requirement.

BGA Platefin Heatsink

BGA Platefin Heatsinks

Radian’s BGA Aluminum plate fin designs are high efficiency heatsink cooling products which are ideal for linear air-flow environments. These BGA heat sink devices mount with EZ Snap™ mounting clips and / or thermal tape to provide optimum cooling for various package sizes and airflow. These off-the-shelf, high efficiency heatsink solutions are easy to install and require no special board modifications or complex assemblies. The heatsinks are constructed of extruded aluminum for optimum heat transfer. Designed specifically for BGAs and other surface mount packages then finished with black anodize plating.

Radian Part NumberTypeMaterialStyleLength (mm)Width (mm)Height (mm)Theta SA (°C/W)at 200LFMTheta SA (°C/W) at 400LFMTheta SA (°C/W) at 600LFMStore
INH27001-15/2.6BGAAluminumPlate Fin22.126.914.64.22.62.1View
INH27001-18/2.6BGAAluminumPlate Fin22.126.917.63.52.21.8View
INH27001-23/2.6BGAAluminumPlate Fin22.126.922.92.71.71.4View
INH33001-15/2.6BGAAluminumPlate Fin27.232.314.63.11.91.5View
INH33001-18/2.6BGAAluminumPlate Fin27.232.317.62.61.61.3View
INH33001-23/2.6BGAAluminumPlate Fin27.232.322.921.31View
INH35001-15/2.6BGAAluminumPlate Fin2934.814.62.91.71.3View
INH35001-18/2.6BGAAluminumPlate Fin2934.817.62.41.41.1View
INH35001-23/2.6BGAAluminumPlate Fin2934.822.91.91.20.9View
INH40001-15/2.6BGAAluminumPlate Fin34.539.114.62.51.51.1View
INH40001-18/2.6BGAAluminumPlate Fin34.539.117.62.11.31View
INH40001-23/2.6BGAAluminumPlate Fin34.539.122.91.710.8View
INL19001-10/1.7BGAAluminumPlate Fin19199.55.714.173.57View
INL19001-13/1.7BGAAluminumPlate Fin191912.75.153.723.16View
INL19001-6/1.7BGAAluminumPlate Fin19196.36.264.583.97View
INL21001-10/1.7BGAAluminumPlate Fin21219.55.383.913.32View
INL21001-13/1.7BGAAluminumPlate Fin212112.74.833.432.91View
INL21001-6/1.7BGAAluminumPlate Fin21216.36.084.413.79View
INL23001-10/1.7BGAAluminumPlate Fin23239.55.013.673.06View
INL23001-13/1.7BGAAluminumPlate Fin232312.74.253.092.61View
INL23001-6/1.7BGAAluminumPlate Fin23236.35.774.283.63View
INL24001-10/1.7BGAAluminumPlate Fin24249.54.723.453.83View
INL24001-13/1.7BGAAluminumPlate Fin242412.74.052.892.39View
INL25001-10/1.7BGAAluminumPlate Fin25259.54.573.182.63View
INL25001-13/1.7BGAAluminumPlate Fin252512.73..82.642.15View
INL25001-6/1.7BGAAluminumPlate Fin25256.35.323.793.15View
INL27001-10/1.7BGAAluminumPlate Fin27279.54.2532.4View
INL27001-13/1.7BGAAluminumPlate Fin272712.73.52.41.86View
INL27001-6/1.7BGAAluminumPlate Fin27276.34.943.582.99View
INL29001-10/1.7BGAAluminumPlate Fin29299.53.952.662.18View
INL29001-13/1.7BGAAluminumPlate Fin292912.73.322.21.72View
INL29001-6/1.7BGAAluminumPlate Fin29296.34.623.232.73View
INL31001-10/1.7BGAAluminumPlate Fin31319.53.722.552.02View
INL31001-13/1.7BGAAluminumPlate Fin313112.73.12.021.56View
INL31001-6/1.7BGAAluminumPlate Fin31316.34.383.132.58View
INL33001-10/1.7BGAAluminumPlate Fin33339.53.432.251.72View
INL33001-13/1.7BGAAluminumPlate Fin333312.72.791.731.28View
INL33001-6/1.7BGAAluminumPlate Fin33336.34.122.832.27View
INL35001-10/1.7BGAAluminumPlate Fin35359.53.152.011.49View
INL35001-13/1.7BGAAluminumPlate Fin353512.72.51.561.1View
INL35001-6/1.7BGAAluminumPlate Fin35356.33.852.481.92View
INL37.5001-10/1.7BGAAluminumPlate Fin37.537.59.52.91.751.34View
INL37.5001-13/1.7BGAAluminumPlate Fin37.537.512.72.271.310.98View
INL40001-10/1.7BGAAluminumPlate Fin40409.52.731.681.22View
INL40001-13/1.7BGAAluminumPlate Fin404012.72.161.250.88View
INL40001-6/1.7BGAAluminumPlate Fin40406.33.262.081.59View
INL42.5001-10/1.7BGAAluminumPlate Fin42.542.59.52.611.611.18View
INL42.5001-13/1.7BGAAluminumPlate Fin42.542.512.72.141.20.83View
INL42.5001-6/1.7BGAAluminumPlate Fin42.542.56.33.152.011.54View
INL45001-10/1.7BGAAluminumPlate Fin45459.52.451.471.12View
INL45001-13/1.7BGAAluminumPlate Fin454512.71.971.110.8View
INL45001-6/1.7BGAAluminumPlate Fin45456.32.931.871.44View
Platefin Heatsink Screws

Platefin Heatsinks with screws

Radian’s Plate Fin designs are constructed of die cast aluminum and are ideal for omni directional airflow or convection environments. These off-the-shelf, high efficiency heatsink solutions are easy to install with four M3 mounting screws ranging from 4-8mm in length.

PartTypeStyleMaterialLength (mm)Width (mm)Height (mm)Theta SA (°C/W) at 200LFMTheta SA (°C/W) at 400LFMTheta SA (°C/W) at 600LFMPart
HS1568EBPushpinPlatefinAluminum57.936.811.42.21.31View
HS1574EBPushpinPlatefinAluminum57.936.822.90.90.60.5View
HS1576EBDCDCPlatefinAluminum6157.911.41.40.80.6View
HS1579EBPushpinPlatefinAluminum6157.95.82.71.71.3View
HS1592EBDCDCPlatefinAluminum116.86111.41.20.70.5View
HS1594EBDCDCPlatefinAluminum116.86122.90.70.40.3View
Aluminum Round Pin

BGA Aluminum Round Pin Heatsink

Radian’s  BGA Aluminum Round Pin is a high efficiency heatsink cooling product which is ideal for omni-directional air flow and convection environments. These devices mount with EZ SnapTM mounting clips and / or thermal tape for various package sizes and airflow.

Radian Part NumberTypeMaterial StyleLength (mm)Width (mm)Height (mm)Theta SA (°C/W) at 200LFMTheta SA (°C/W) at 400LFMTheta SA (°C/W) at 600LFMStore
INM19002-12P/2-6BGAAluminumRoundpin191911.66.874.954.26View
INM19002-15P/2.6BGAAluminumRoundpin191914.66.564.663.96View
INM19002-25P/2.6BGAAluminumRoundpin191924.64.73.42.7View
INM27002-12P/2.6BGAAluminumRoundpin272711.65.043.212.38View
INM29002-25P/2.6BGAAluminumRoundpin292924.62.51.81.4View
INM33002-12P/2.6BGAAluminumRoundpin333311.63.462.251.66View
INM33002-20P/2.6BGAAluminumRoundpin333319.62.31.61.3View
INM33002-25P/2.6BGAAluminumRoundpin333324.61.91.41.2View
INM35002-12P/2.6BGAAluminumRoundpin353511.63.182.041.53View
INM35002-15P/2.6BGAAluminumRoundpin353514.62.971.871.37View
INM35002-20P/2.6BGAAluminumRoundpin353519.621.51.2View
INM35002-25P/2.6BGAAluminumRoundpin353524.61.81.31View
INM37.5002-15P/2.6BGAAluminumRoundpin37.537.514.62.831.781.23View
INM40002-12P/2.6BGAAluminumRoundpin404011.62.961.921.39View
INM40002-20P/2.6BGAAluminumRoundpin404019.61.71.20.9View
INM42.5002-20P/2.6BGAAluminumRoundpin42.542.519.62.191.180.73View
INM42.5002-25P/2.6BGAAluminumRoundpin42.542.524.61.30.80.7View
BGA Copper Round Pin Heatsink

BGA Copper Round Pin Heatsink

Radian’s copper round pin design is a high efficiency heatsink cooling products which is ideal for omni-directional airflow and convection environments. These BGA Heatsink devices mount with EZ Snap™ mounting clips and / or thermal tape to provide optimum cooling for various package sizes and airflow. These off-the-shelf, high efficiency heatsink solutions are easy to install and require no special board modifications or complex assemblies. The heatsinks are constructed of forged CU1100 oxygen-free copper for optimum heat transfer.

inm29002TypeMaterialStyleLength (mm)Width (mm)Height (mm)Theta SA (°C/W) at 200LFMTheta SA (°C/W) at 400LFMTheta SA (°C/W) at 600LFMStore
INM19002-12PCU/2.6BGACopperRoundpin191911.66.084.392.95SHOP
INM19002-15PCU/2.6BGACopperRoundpin191914.65.794.123.47SHOP
INM19002-20PCU/2.6BGACopperRoundpin191919.64.23.12.6SHOP
INM19002-25PCU/2.6BGACopperRoundpin191924.63.92.92.4SHOP
INM27002-12PCU/2.6BGACopperRoundpin272711.64.343.052.36SHOP
INM27002-15PCU/2.6BGACopperRoundpin272714.64.072.832.15SHOP
INM27002-20PCU/2.6BGACopperRoundpin272719.62.82.11.7SHOP
INM27002-25PCU/2.6BGACopperRoundpin272724.62.61.91.6SHOP
INM29002-12PCU/2.6BGACopperRoundpin292911.63.932.592SHOP
INM33002-25PCU/2.6BGACopperRoundpin333324.61.610.8SHOP
INM35002-12PCU/2.6BGACopperRoundpin353511.63.132.021.5SHOP
INM35002-15PCU/2.6BGACopperRoundpin353514.62.831.791.33SHOP
INM40002-12PCU/2.6BGACopperRoundpin404011.62.811.771.29SHOP
INM40002-15PCU/2.6BGACopperRoundpin404014.62.591.591.09SHOP
INM40002-20PCU/2.6BGACopperRoundpin404019.61.510.8SHOP
INM40002-25PCU/2.6BGACopperRoundpin404024.61.40.90.7SHOP
INM42.5002-12PCU/2.6BGACopperRoundpin42.542.511.62.671.661.19SHOP
INM42.5002-25PCU/2.6BGACopperRoundpin42.542.524.61.20.80.7SHOP
Roundpin Heatsink with Screws

Roundpin heatsink with screws

Radian’s Round pin designs are constructed of die cast aluminum and are ideal for omni directional airflow or convection environments. These off-the-shelf, high efficiency heatsink solutions are easy to install with four M3 mounting screws ranging from 4-8mm in length.

Roundpin Heatsink with Pushpins

Round Pin Heatsink with Pushpins

The INM37.5 Series of aluminum and copper round pin designs are high efficiency heatsink cooling products which are ideal for omni-directional air flow.

Small roundpin heatsink

Small Round Pin Heatsink

The Miniature Series of aluminum heatsinks are high efficiency cooling products which are ideal for omni-directional airflow. These devices may be packaged with optional thermal tape to facilitate installation of the heatsinks.

Roundpin Heatsink with Pushpins

BGA Elliptical fin Heatsinks

Radian has a wide range of Elliptical Fin designs that are available to ship within a few days. If a part or BGA heatsink size is not available online we can usually offer an alternative part, or modify a part in stock to fit your needs. For lower volumes, we can also precision machine a cross-cut heatsink to fit our EZ-snap clip, that can offer similar performance, and for larger volumes a precision casting can be made for your exact requirements. Please contact us if you need help selecting the correct solution.

Radian Part NumberTypeMaterialStyleLength (mm)Width (mm)Height (mm)Theta SA (°C/W) at 200LFMTheta SA (°C/W) at 400LFMTheta SA (°C/W) at 600LFMStore
INM17001-11W/1.7BGAAluminumElliptical171710.77.86.15.43SHOP
INM17001-14W/1.7BGAAluminumElliptical171713.77.165.544.82SHOP
INM17001-22W/1.7BGAAluminumElliptical171721.75.744.363.69SHOP
INM17001-32W/1.7BGAAluminumElliptical171731.74.833.663.18SHOP
INM19001-15W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical191914.65.894.483.84SHOP
INM19001-18W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical191917.65.454.033.48SHOP
INM19001-23W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical191922.64.73.462.98SHOP
INM19001-33W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical191932.63.882.882.54SHOP
INM21001-15W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical212114.65.13.462.82SHOP
INM21001-28W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical212127.63.742.522.04SHOP
INM21001-33W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical212132.63.432.291.9SHOP
INM23001-15W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical232314.64.222.942.46SHOP
INM23001-21W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical232320.63.692.492.06SHOP
INM23001-28W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical232327.63.12.11.6SHOP
INM23001-33W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical232332.62.821.891.6SHOP
INM25001-18W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical252517.63.72.522.05SHOP
INM25001-23W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical252522.63.182.181.76SHOP
INM27001-15W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical272714.63.892.662.23SHOP
INM27001-18W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical272717.63.592.422.01SHOP
INM27001-23W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical272722.63.082.041.66SHOP
INM27001-28W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical272727.62.781.781.47SHOP
INM27001-33W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical272732.62.521.611.31SHOP
INM29001-15W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical292914.63.812.522.02View
INM29001-18W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical292917.63.562.311.84View
INM29001-33W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical292932.62.471.491.18View
INM31001-15W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical313114.63.132.021.66View
INM31001-18W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical313117.62.851.791.45View
INM31001-21W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical313120.62.631.631.31View
INM31001-23W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical313122.62.441.51.19View
INM31001-28W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical313127.62.211.361.05View
INM31001-33W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical313132.62.021.190.93View
INM33001-15W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical333314.62.971.881.54View
INM33001-18W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical333317.62.691.71.37View
INM33001-21W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical333320.62.51.521.22View
INM33001-23W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical333322.62.31.371.08View
INM33001-28W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical333327.62.081.230.98View
INM35001-21W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical353520.62.351.521.15View
INM35001-23W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical353522.62.131.351.01View
INM35001-28W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical353527.61.941.190.86View
INM35001-33W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical353532.61.691.020.72View
INM40001-21W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical404020.62.131.310.97View
INM40001-23W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical404022.61.931.150.85View
INM40001-28W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical404027.61.7310.73View
INM40001-33W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical404032.61.550.850.62View
INM42.5001-15W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical42.542.514.62.481.631.27View
INM42.5001-18W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical42.542.517.62.251.421.1View
INM42.5001-21W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical42.542.520.62.041.270.93View
INM42.5001-23W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical42.542.522.61.861.10.79View
INM42.5001-28W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical42.542.527.61.660.920.62View
INM45001-15W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical454514.62.421.571.15View
INM45001-18W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical454517.621.390.99View
INM45001-21W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical454520.621.220.85View
INM45001-23W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical454522.61.791.080.74View
INM45001-28W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical454527.61.590.910.6View
INM45001-33W/2.6BGAAluminumElliptical454532.60.90.70.5View

Calculating the right thermal solution for your application just got easier with our heatsink calculator. Take the guesswork out of the equation and get precise results.

Copper or Aluminum

Standard BGA sizes

Custom designs

Let us help you chill your device!