xiehe model

Although small, radiators play a very critical role in electrical appliances. For example, computers tend to generate a lot of heat during use. The heat sink in the CPU acts to cool it, thus extending the life of the computer. We can also find a radiator in the tube of the TV, the power supply is very light. Aluminum alloy is an excellent material choice when choosing to make a heat sink. Here's an in-depth look at how we can help you choose the right fabrication solution for your aluminum radiator.

Heat sink material selection

Radiators are available in a variety of materials. There are options to craft it using silver, aluminum, copper and steel. Different materials affect the expected heat dissipation of a heat sink differently. Silver is the best for thermal conductivity analysis. However, it is not the material of choice as it is quite expensive. The next best option is aluminum, which ends up being our favorite material. It is the most inclusive material regardless of cost or thermal conductivity. In short, it's cheap and light.

The principle of aluminum radiator

The working principle of an aluminum heat sink is fairly simple. It has a larger surface area so it dissipates heat faster. Because of its fast heat absorption and heat dissipation, it has a good heat transfer effect.

Common Manufacturing Options for Aluminum Heat Sinks

Extrusion molding of aluminum heat sink

The extrusion molding process is well suited for the mass production of aluminum radiators. This is due to less investment, low production costs, and short development cycles. 6063 aluminum is the perfect aluminum grade for extrusion process. The working principle involves heating an aluminum block to between 520-540 degrees Celsius under high pressure. We then flow the molten aluminum through a grooved extrusion die. This allows us to create radiator embryos. Afterwards, we cut the radiator blanks, profile slots and any other machining that makes up the radiator. Unfortunately, using extrusion to make a heat sink has its drawbacks.

Aluminum alloy radiator

Fin thickness and length ratio must be within a certain range. We call this the pin-fin ratio. It constitutes one of the main standards for testing aluminum extrusion technology. The larger the ratio, the larger the effective cooling area of the radiator. However, it is difficult to increase the heat dissipation area in a narrow space. Therefore, the heat dissipation effect of aluminum profiles is not so ideal. We mainly use aluminum extrusion process in heat sink processing to manufacture columnar or sheet fins.

Aluminum processing requires a series of processes. Some of these include drilling, milling, turning and grinding. We can flexibly apply this process according to the structure of the part. Its use also depends on the functionality of structural components such as fin grooving, plate forming and underside finishing. Its main disadvantages are relatively fast tool wear and the need for human involvement in machine management. This requires a certain labor cost.

Aluminum Radiator Die Casting

The principle of aluminum radiator die casting is very similar to injection molding. We first heat the aluminum alloy into a liquid under high pressure. Depending on the model, a die casting machine starts by cooling and solidifying molten metal into the desired shape. We can integrate this process into dense, thin or complex fin designs. Its main disadvantage is that it affects the conductive effect and mechanical properties of the material. It also limits the nuclear thermal conductivity.

What are the common surface treatment options for aluminum radiators?

sandblasting

Sandblasting under high pressure greatly affects the surface of the radiator. It is perfect for removing dirt and knife lines from machined aluminum radiator surfaces. We also use it to make parts look more shiny and uniform. This improves the mechanical properties of the part and reduces the incidence of fatigue on the heat sink surface.

drawing

The brushed finish imparts a more metallic finish, making it more stylish. In addition to the aesthetic effect, it also increases the heating area of the part to a certain extent. This helps to improve the efficiency of the aluminum radiator.

Anodizing

Anodizing is one of the most common surface treatments used today. We use this method to apply a protective film to the surface of the part. This not only makes it scratch resistant, but ultimately abrasion resistant as well. The protective function is used to overcome the surface hardness of aluminum alloy defects.

Electroplating

Plating is another protective and aesthetic process that we can perform on aluminum heat sinks. It improves the reflectivity, abrasion resistance and conductivity of the part. We want to support your custom designs and needs. If you have any questions, please contact us immediately.