FSW welding (friction stir welding) is an established method in metalworking/joining technology. However, this method is not ideal for heat sinks.
In this article, we examine
FSW welding (friction stir welding) is a welding technique that joins metallic materials without melting them. A rotating tool is immersed into the joint at high speed, creating a strong bond.
Miba Cooling Austria uses this manufacturing process to produce a wide range of different air and water heat sinks for cooling power electronics.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Aluminum alloys and other difficult-to-weld materials can be joined. | Not suitable for all applications, especially with thin sheets or complex geometries. |
| Low heat impact on the workpiece compared to conventional welding methods. | The metallic transition between the materials is limited to the surface of the weld seam. |
| A low-delay connection with high strength is created. | When used for high-performance heat sinks, the heat dissipation of the heat loss is not optimal. |
Vacuum brazing is a high-precision joining process that is carried out in a vacuum chamber. It is used to manufacture high-performance heat sinks and other components, especially for power electronics.
The ever-increasing power density of the power electronics to be cooled also requires corresponding high-performance cooling. Vacuum brazing is the best choice for this, especially when compared to FSW welding.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Efficient heat dissipation ensures optimal operating temperatures for electronic components. | The quality of the connection depends heavily on the cleanliness of the surfaces and the precision of the soldering process. |
| Enables significant cost savings, especially in energy-intensive industries. | Miba Cooling Austria is working on perfecting the entire process, which is very resource-intensive. |
| Improves financial profitability through performance-enhancing connection technology. | Depending on technical cleanliness, ideal preparation, and process control during the soldering process. |
| Precise temperature control extends service life and reduces maintenance requirements. | Requirements for non-destructive testing of soldering quality can increase costs. |
| Leads to less downtime and higher machine availability. | All process parameters are developed, implemented, and controlled internally, which adds to the complexity. |
| Comprehensive testing through simulations and tests guarantees a long service life for the power electronics. |
The main advantage lies in the full-surface, reliable connection, which ensures superior heat transfer and thus maximizes cooling performance. This flexibility and precision is particularly crucial for cooling the next generation of power electronics (e.g., SiC, GaN).
In addition, the flexibility of vacuum-brazed heat sinks allows different aluminum alloys and geometries to be joined. This increases their adaptability to different applications.
Would you like to know whether vacuum brazing is more suitable for your application than FSW welding?
Our service experts are on hand to offer advice and assistance.
