An extruded heat sink is used mainly to increase the surface area available for heat transfer from high-power semiconductor devices, thus reducing a given semiconductor’s external case temperature, as well as its internal junction temperature. This allows the semiconductor devices to perform at their highest level, with maximum reliability. Such semiconductor devices include (but are not limited to) RF power transistors, RF power amplifiers, Power MOSFETs, IGBTs, inverter power modules, and thyristor modules. In some power conversion circuit applications, large diodes, rectifiers, diode modules and even high-power resistors (thick film, etc.) can also require thermal contact with an extruded heat sink.

Richardson RFPD’s full line of extruded heat sinks supports today's most demanding natural convection and forced-air convection applications. They are used in every industry employing high-power electronic circuits, including (but not limited to) renewable energy, automotive, telecommunications, broadcast, industrial power, military, RF and wireless, medical equipment, and factory automation.

When selecting your optimal extruded heat sink, always consider overall dimensions and weight, the specified Thermal Resistance (in °C/W), and the extrusion shape (flat-back, flat-back with gap, hollow, double-sided, etc.). In most instances, the “best” heat sink for the job is not necessarily the most expensive or the largest, but rather the heat sink which provides the best price-performance ratio (while meeting the cooling requirements).

Richardson RFPD is pleased to work with industry-leading manufacturers Aavid Thermalloy and Wakefield Thermal Solutions to provide our customers with a large selection of extruded heat sinks.Our thermal management solutions include a broad variety of standard extrusion profiles (sold by length) and prefabricated heat sinks (designed for specific semiconductor package types). We can also provide complete, custom-fabricated extruded heat sinks made to customer specifications (including cut-to-size, machined, and plated).