Heatsinks · Skived Fin
Skived fin heatsinks
Skived fin heatsinks are cut from a solid aluminum bar in one continuous shaving, producing extremely thin, tall, densely packed fins — maximum surface area where space is tight and power density is high.
When to choose skived
A skived fin heatsink delivers far higher fin density than extrusion — fins can be under 0.3 mm thick and very tall — so it suits high-power semiconductors in compact enclosures (IGBT, power modules, RF). There is no die, so prototyping is fast and economical at low volume. The fins are integral with the base (no bond line), giving excellent conduction from fin to base.
The trade-off is fragility: skived fins are thin and easily bent, so handling, packaging and assembly need care.
Typical specs
- Fin thickness: 0.2–0.5 mm
- Fin height: up to ~100 mm
- Alloy: 1060 / 6063 / 6061
- Finish: anodized
Fins are shaved from the parent bar — no joint to fail.
How a skived fin heatsink is made
- Select stock. A solid aluminum bar (often high-conductivity 1060 or 6063) sized to the sink envelope.
- Skive. A special cutter shaves each fin up and back in one continuous cut, leaving it attached at the base.
- Trim & machine. The base is milled flat; mounting holes and pockets are CNC-cut.
- Finish. Anodize (usually clear) for corrosion resistance and a clean look.
- Pack fin-safe. Protective fixtures/spacers prevent fin damage in transit.
Capability & typical specs
Numbers below are typical; confirm exact limits against your drawing.
| Parameter | Typical capability |
|---|---|
| Fin thickness | 0.2–0.5 mm |
| Fin height | up to ~100 mm |
| Fin pitch | as low as ~1–2 mm |
| Base machining | CNC milled interface |
| Finish | Anodize II/III |
Thermal & design notes
Design for skived fins
- Plan fin-safe handling. Thin fins bend easily — specify protective packaging and a clear assembly method.
- Pair with a flat, machined base for best device contact; the skive leaves the base oversized for milling.
- Favor high-conductivity alloy (1060/6063) when thermal resistance dominates over strength.
- Mind the airflow path. Very dense fins need forced air; confirm your fan or flow can push through the pitch.
- No bond line means fin-to-base conduction is essentially the bulk alloy — a real advantage over bonded construction.
Skived vs bonded vs extruded
| Need | Best choice |
|---|---|
| Highest fin density, compact, no bond line | Skived fin |
| Tall fins, moderate cost, no die limit | Bonded fin |
| Low cost at volume, moderate fins | Extruded |
Skived leads on density and conduction; bonded wins when fins must be even taller or the base is complex.
Where skived fin heatsinks are used
Power modules
IGBT and SiC modules where every degree of junction temp matters.
RF & telecom
Compact amplifiers and transceivers with high local power.
Datacom
Switches and compute boards needing dense, low-profile sinks.
Military & aerospace
Space-constrained, high-reliability thermal loads.
Frequently asked questions
What fin thickness can skiving reach?
Typical skived fins run 0.2–0.5 mm thick, with pitch as low as about 1–2 mm. That density is well beyond what extrusion can hold, which is why skived sinks are used for high power density in small envelopes. The exact minimum depends on alloy and fin height.
Why is skived better than bonded for conduction?
In a skived sink the fins are shaved from the same parent bar, so there is no adhesive or solder joint between fin and base. Heat travels through bulk aluminum with no bond-line resistance. Bonded fins add a joint that, even when soldered, introduces a small thermal step — acceptable when fins must be taller or the base is complex.
Are skived fins fragile?
Yes, the thin fins bend easily, so they need fin-safe handling, packaging and assembly. We machine a flat base, anodize, then pack with protective spacers. If your process handles parts roughly, bonded or extruded may be more robust.
Which alloy for a skived sink?
For maximum thermal conductivity, high-purity 1060 is common, though it is soft and non-structural. 6063 and 6061 are used when the sink also needs strength or machining; 6061 costs more and machines well. We pick with you based on conduction vs mechanical need.
What do you need to quote a skived fin sink?
Envelope, fin height and pitch (or a thermal resistance target), alloy, base mounting details and finish. No tooling is needed, so prototypes can be fast — send the STEP or sketch and we propose fin geometry and price.
Quote a skived fin heatsink
Send power, envelope and airflow — we propose fin geometry and price.