Heat Sink Surface Area Calculator
To determine the surface area of a heat sink, we typically need to know a few critical parameters about the heat sink’s design and dimensions. Here’s a list of essential variables for calculating the surface area of a heat sink:
- Height (h): The height of the heat sink (typically in mm or inches).
- Width (w): The width of the heat sink (in mm or inches).
- Base thickness (t): The thickness of the heat sink base.
- Fin dimensions:
- Fin thickness (t_f): The thickness of the fins.
- Fin length (L_f): The length of the fins (usually the height).
- Fin spacing (S_f): The distance between adjacent fins.
- Number of fins (n): The total number of fins on the heat sink.
- Material properties: Conductivity, heat dissipation, etc.
- Airflow: The movement of air through the fins, which can impact the heat sink’s efficiency.
Table of Heat Sink Surface Area Parameters:
| Parameter | Description | Unit | Common Values |
|---|---|---|---|
| Height (h) | Total height of the heat sink (from base to top of fins). | mm, inches | 50-150 mm |
| Width (w) | Width of the heat sink base. | mm, inches | 50-100 mm |
| Base Thickness (t) | Thickness of the heat sink base. | mm, inches | 5-15 mm |
| Fin Thickness (t_f) | Thickness of each individual fin. | mm, inches | 1-3 mm |
| Fin Length (L_f) | Length of each fin (typically the height). | mm, inches | 10-50 mm |
| Fin Spacing (S_f) | Distance between the centers of adjacent fins. | mm, inches | 2-5 mm |
| Number of Fins (n) | Total number of fins in the heat sink. | unit count | 10-50 fins |
| Material Thermal Conductivity (k) | Thermal conductivity of the material. | W/m·K | 150-200 W/m·K (for aluminum) |
| Surface Area Calculation | Based on the above values, calculate the total surface area. | m², cm², or in² | Formula below |