Skived Heat Sink

What is a Skived Heat Sink

Making a skived heat sink involves cutting thin, high-density fins directly from a single block of metal, usually copper or aluminum, using a precision skiving process. With the one-piece construction, these units eliminate the need for soldering or assembly, reducing thermal resistance between the base and fins. Featuring closely spaced, uniform fins, these heat sinks significantly increase the surface area, allowing for enhanced heat dissipation.

Materials & Surface Finishes

Common Materials: High-thermal-conductivity metals, such as aluminium (e.g., AL1100, AL6063) and copper (e.g., C1100), find extensive application in skived heat sinks. Aluminium offers a lightweight, cost-effective solution, while copper provides superior heat dissipation for high-power applications.

Surface Finishes: To improve corrosion resistance and withstand thermal radiation, surface finishes such as anodizing, nickel plating, or protective coatings like powder coating are applied, enhancing durability and appearance.

Advantages of Skived Heatsinks

• Ultra-Thin Fin Capability

The skiving process can create fins with extreme thinness, down to 0.2 mm in thickness, without compromising structural integrity. Thanks to their compact design, these high-performance heat sinks are well-suited for space-constrained environments.

• High Fin Density

Skived heat sinks offer tightly packed fin arrays, significantly increasing the surface area available for heat dissipation. As a result, it can deliver enhanced thermal performance compared to traditional extruded or stamped heatsinks, especially in applications with high heat loads.

• Air and Liquid Cooling Compatible

Thanks to their one-piece construction and high efficiency, skived heatsinks can be used in combination with forced-air cooling systems and liquid cooling plates. This makes them ideal for high-power electronics, power conversion systems, and other applications requiring demanding thermal requirements.

Applications of Skived Heatsinks

Skived heatsinks are extensively utilized in power electronics, telecommunications equipment, and automotive systems. In LED lighting applications, these units effectively manage the thermal load of high-brightness arrays, ensuring optimal performance and extended lifespan. They are particularly valuable in server farms and data centers, where dense electronic components generate substantial heat loads. Additionally, skived heatsinks are widely used in medical devices, aerospace electronics, and industrial control systems.