Heatsink color
Heatsink color
(OP)
Does a black aluminum heatsink have a lower thermal resistivity than a machined aluminum heatsink? A colleague put a conformal coat on a heatsink and saw the performance improve (65C rise instead of 90C). What explains this?
Radiated heat?
Surface finish (area)?
The heatsink is on a bench in lab in an ambient temperature of 25C dissipating 7.7W.
Is that why OTS heatsinks are typically (always) black anodized?
Thanks,
John D
Radiated heat?
Surface finish (area)?
The heatsink is on a bench in lab in an ambient temperature of 25C dissipating 7.7W.
Is that why OTS heatsinks are typically (always) black anodized?
Thanks,
John D





RE: Heatsink color
As far as I could tell the black anodized gives a good compromise for convective & radiation cooling relatively cheaply etc. for most applications.
That doesn't mean it's the best, or even most cost effective, for every application.
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Heatsink color
Tata
RE: Heatsink color
> Anodize is thin enough to not impede convection
> Higher emissivity results in higher heat loss; there is no downside on this
TTFN
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RE: Heatsink color
RE: Heatsink color
RE: Heatsink color
RE: Heatsink color
Thanks for the responses, all!