[Article]: Custom liquid-cooled heat sinks from CTX.

Effective cooling of hot spots with liquid-cooled heat sinks.

Liquid-cooled heat sinks are used in applications where passive or fan-based cooling solutions are insufficient, but effective cooling is indispensable. However, there are major differences between liquid-cooled heat sinks. The optimal production process for the particular application depends on various factors, such as the desired material and coolant, the specified cooling capacity, and the required number of heat sinks. That is why CTX offers different processes for the production of liquid-cooled heat sinks.

There are also major differences among the elite class of heat sinks: effective cooling depends on factors such as the material, production process and coolant. Based on more than 25 years of expertise, CTX always develops and manufactures the optimal solution for the particular application. To achieve this, the company has numerous production processes, coolants and materials to choose from. Depending on the application, water, glycol, oil, alcohol or – in rare cases – gases flow through tubes made of copper, aluminum or stainless steel within an aluminum or copper plate.

Different production processes for differing requirements:

The classic liquid heat sink consists of an aluminum cooling plate with embedded tubes made of copper, which is easy to work with and is an excellent thermal conductor. Tubes can also be made of stainless steel or aluminum, although their heat dissipation capacity is not as good. The optimal production process for the particular application depends on various factors, such as the desired material and coolant, the specified cooling capacity, and the required number of heat sinks. CTX offers efficient and custom designed liquid-cooled heat sinks using application-specific production processes.

• Liquid-cooled heat sinks made of die-cast aluminum: This process is suitable for the cost-effective production of large quantities of cooling systems, such as those used in electric cars. The die-casting mold can be used to produce multiple heat sink plates with complex geometries in one process.
• High-temperature brazed liquid-cooled heat sinks: High-end applications or complex geometries require special solutions. For such applications, CTX uses so-called brazed heat sinks. The upper and lower plates are bonded by means of high-temperature brazing and the cooling channels are milled into the plates.
• Friction stir welded liquid-cooled heat sinks: Friction stir welding is suitable for the production of one-off liquid-cooled heat sinks and prototypes, as well as for series production. One advantage of this process is that the heat sinks do not require tubes, since the cooling channels are milled into the aluminum cooling plate.

Cold extruded liquid-cooled heat sinks: Cold extrusion is the ideal process for IGBTs and other electronic semiconductor components, since it ensures loss-free heat transfer between fins, cooling tubes and plates. There is practically no limit to the possible designs for the pins and fins.

Extruded liquid-cooled heat sinks: Extrusion is ideal for manufacturing large series of liquid-cooled heat sinks. The aluminum heat sinks are produced in a step-by-step extrusion process, in which the inner cooling channel remains stable.

Perfect service:

In addition to the development and production of application-specific heat sinks, CTX also offers custom service packages. Support includes the thermal solution of a potential heat sink, creation of the required CAD data and 3D models, and a consultation relating to the heat sink design and production optimization. On request, the thermal management experts will also take care of all logistics processes for delivery of the heat sinks and housings.

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CTX liquid-cooled heat sinks custom tailored to the application.

About CTX:

For more than 25 years, CTX Thermal Solutions GmbH has been developing and manufacturing tailor-made cooling solutions for electronic components used in virtually all industries. Comprehensive technical expertise in thermal management, state-of-the-art production technologies, and its unique product diversity have made CTX the European leader of the industry. In addition to the development of new custom cooling solutions, CTX also implements heat sinks according to drawings, as well as complete logistics services for the transport of products.

Established in 1997, CTX has more than 35 employees. In terms of revenue, the company is among the major suppliers of cooling systems, especially when it comes to application-specific cooling solutions. The certified quality and environmental management system meets the requirements of DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 and DIN EN ISO 14001:2015.

Are you looking for a cooling system? CTX has the solution!