Lapping an Al Heatsink

[feriso]

Just wondering if it is worth (or feasible) to lapp an Aluminium (Al) base heatsink. I have doen a Cu one before so I know what I am doing but not sure about Al (will you get the same effect?)

 

[w3bbo]

I wouldn't bother tbh. Only 'Cu' heatsinks are worthwhile in lapping as most 'Al' ones are poor performing to begin with so lapping will make little difference.

 

[Chris Beard]

Thinking aloud here, but:

Increasing the conductivity with an aluminium heatsink should have a greater effect as there's a bigger difference in heat between the chip and the sink, but due to the lower conductivity of aluminium less conductivity will be gained by lapping than with a copper sink... So the difference should be about comparible or better than with an copper heatsink in my estimation.