Aluminum vs. Copper vs. Graphite: A Comparative Analysis of Heat Sink Materials for Optimal Thermal Management 2025-11-03
This article provides a comparative analysis of common heat sink materials: aluminum, copper, graphite, and mixed compositions. It details their thermal conductivity, density, cost, and manufacturability, explaining that aluminum is cost-effective and lightweight for moderate heat loads, while copper offers superior thermal performance for high-power density. Graphite provides ultra-lightweight, anisotropic heat spreading for specialized needs, and mixed compositions combine strengths for optimized solutions. The article emphasizes that strategic material selection, based on application-specific needs and a cost-benefit analysis, is crucial for effective thermal management.
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