Whenever you can take advantage of the natural qualities of a material, you maximize the potential benefits that it can provide to any project. In the case of heat sinks, the advantages of using aluminum really come into play. The most common materials used to create heat sinks are aluminum alloys. There are significant benefits for both commercial and industrial electronic device manufacturers when aluminum alloys are used. Improvements made to custom aluminum extrusion techniques and design have made it possible to create aluminum heat sinks that provide reduced weight and greater strength. The shapes that can be created when you extrude aluminum alloys will typically have a much higher tolerance than parts that are machined.
Other Advantages of Using Aluminum
Most people know that aluminum is exceptionally light in weight. However, it also has a very high strength-to-weight ratio, which is greater than ratios found in steel, brass, copper, and other materials used to create heat sinks. Aluminum has a very high level of thermal conductivity, which makes it perfect for this type of application. Common alloys used for this purpose include 6063, which we use here at Silver City Aluminum. The thermal conductivity values of each alloy will depend on the temper, as well as the methods used for custom aluminum extrusion.
While copper can have up to twice as much thermal conductivity compared to aluminum, it is also much more costly. It is also three times the density of aluminum, which means that it cannot be effectively extruded. Of all the advantages of using aluminum compared to other materials, this is by far one of the most beneficial. The methods used to create heat sinks out of copper and other metals decrease the strength and durability of the finished product. Aluminum alloy is extremely malleable, which allows for the creation of unique designs and profiles. It is also very good at reflecting heat, in addition to conducting heat, which makes it a great choice for heat transfer applications.
Cost-Effective Aluminum Heat Sinks
Compared to many of the other materials used to create heat sinks, including diamonds, synthetic diamonds, and composite materials, aluminum is also the most cost-effective. Part of the affordability with aluminum heat sinks lies in the fact that aluminum is extremely plentiful and can be recycled over and over without losing any of its inherent qualities. It is a preferred material for projects that require environmentally-friendly or sustainable products and can help contractors to save a bundle without sacrificing quality or safety. Aluminum alloy can be made into a wide range of tempers, and it is also much easier to work with than other metals, which makes it cheaper to produce.
Custom aluminum extrusion saves time and money while creating a strong and durable product. Fabrications shops that extrude aluminum alloys can provide experience and advice that will help manufacturers make smart choices. Extrusion allows for a lot of customization without a lot of extra secondary operations and fabrication. Engineers can design custom heat sink profile variations to increase thermal conductivity and provide better results. To truly benefit from all of the advantages of using aluminum, it pays to work with a company like Silver City Aluminum that has many years of experience working with custom aluminum extrusion. Our team of engineers, designers, and technicians can help you create a solution that will be cost-effective and provide you with the best possible results.
Where Aluminum Heat Sinks are Used
There are many different industries that rely on aluminum heat sinks. Our team works with manufacturers who provide parts, products, and components that are used in a number of different ways. The automotive, medical, electronics, telecommunications, military, and aerospace industries are among some of the clients that we serve. Our engineers have extensive knowledge, training, and experience working with custom aluminum extrusion to provide aluminum heat sinks that will meet or exceed your expectations. Our mission is to help each client from the initial concept or design all the way through extrusion, finishing, and shipping to get the best quality and value available.
If you are interested in learning more about Silver City Aluminum and the services we provide for standard and custom aluminum extrusion, give us a call at 508-824-8631. Our team can answer any questions that you might have about the advantages of using aluminum or can help to take your order for aluminum heat sinks. You can also use our online contact form to get the ball rolling so we can start processing your request.