Steel as heatsink

• Jun 25, 2009

• #1

Tw15t3r

0

Joined

Oct 2, 2008

Messages

266

Points

0

Ok, I just found out this shop that does steel machining in my area, and I was wondering if mild steel is ok as a heatsink for LDs.

I know ideally, it should be copper or aluminium, but does anybody have experience with mild steel, steel, or iron?

I was intending to make a one-piece steel laser host.

 

• Jun 25, 2009

• #2

ndrew2505

0

Joined

Feb 23, 2008

Messages

2,832

Points

48

Thermal conductivity - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

• Jun 25, 2009

• #3

wesdaman14

0

Joined

Mar 2, 2008

Messages

1,500

Points

0

Steel will hold in the heat longer then it will disperse it. Bad idea.

 

• Jun 25, 2009

• #4

lasersbee

0

Joined

Sep 20, 2008

Messages

17,622

Points

113

Better than no Heat Sink at all... but not recommended....
(plus it rusts)....

Jerry

 

• Jun 25, 2009

• #5

Tw15t3r

0

Joined

Oct 2, 2008

Messages

266

Points

0

Ok. Thanks for the replies! I guess I'll get aluminium then. Copper seems hard to come by unless they are in the form of pipes...

 

• Jun 25, 2009

• #6

BrewCityMusic

0

Joined

Nov 27, 2008

Messages

863

Points

18

speedymetals.com - any size order, grat prices, fast shipping AND they'll do custom cuts for you ...

 

• Jun 26, 2009

• #7

Tw15t3r

0

Joined

Oct 2, 2008

Messages

266

Points

0

Wow... ok. I didn't know such a site existed. But I don't see them doing custom cuts. They sure have alot of raw sizes though.

 

• Jun 26, 2009

• #8

millirad

0

Joined

Apr 28, 2009

Messages

2,416

Points

63

Yes, they do custom cuts. Good Luck. Seems like at your location you could almost get it done in China as well, but I realize that is easier said than done.