I think it "boils" down to cost. I solid copper heat sink probably is
more efficient than aluminum, but would cost a lot more, weigh more, and
perhaps would be more difficult to manufacture. Usually manufacturers
choose the cheapest solution that is adequate for the job. Volkswagen
probably uses an aluminum cored radiator with plastic tanks not because
it's better, but because it's cheaper. Of course they could argue that
it is lighter and thus enables the car to achieve better gas mileage.
Ray Strode wrote:
My feeling is that copper would tend to hold the heat, for example a
copper clad bottom on a pot or skillet. I'm pretty certain that
aluminum cooling fins are the most efficient, although aluminum car
radiators aren't very good while car radiators with copper fins are
common and easy to repair.
Actually, I read somewhere (my physics book? not sure) that copper,
aluminum, silver, and gold were all good conductors of heat, but the
order of best to worst
is: silver, copper, gold, aluminum.
The idea is, if it's a better conductor of heat, then when it's used
as a heat sink, the heat will away from the chip to it. where it can
be cooled by the air (That's why
heat sinks are in fins i think).
Anyway, i'm certainly no expert, and could probably be wrong. Maybe
one of the other people on the list that are, could verify what i'm
saying.
--Ray
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