What is a Heat Sink?

Ever wonder why your electronic devices don’t overheat? One of the primary reasons is heat sinks. Heat sinks work by spreading heat over wider area, allowing it to dissipate more quickly. All heat sinks are composed of bases and fins which can be fabricated in different shapes depending on the application requirements. The larger the protruding fins the greater the surface area from which heat can dissipate.

A heat sink’s performance depends on several factors including material, protrusion design (the shape and height of the fins), and surface treatment. When heat sinks are utilized without fans they are referred to as passive heat sinks. If fans and heat sinks are used in combination then the heat sinks are called active heat sinks. Heat sinks are typically categorized by the manufacturing method and function. Heat sinks are most commonly used in computers, but are also found in cell phones, refrigerators and many other electronic devices.

Leading Heat Sink Manufacturers

• Aavid Thermalloy
• Wakefield
• Mersen
• Sunon

To learn more about heat sinks read this helpful article from IHS Engineering360 or contact bisco’s industries’ customer support team. bisco’s team has a wealth of knowledge and access to resources from leading manufacturers including Aavid Thermalloy.