What Types of liquid Cooling Plates Are There?

With the emergence of various high-power electronic devices, the demand for heat dissipation has increased. Many tightly sealed devices cannot use fans for cooling, making liquid cooling the best choice. Compared to traditional cooling methods, liquid cooling plates have many advantages, and there are various types to choose from based on the needs of the equipment. Let’s delve into the types of liquid cooling plates.

1.Embedded Tube Liquid Cooling Plate

The embedded tube liquid cooling plate is the simplest form, requiring only the tubes to be embedded within the substrate. Depending on the desired thermal performance and coolant, copper or stainless steel tubes are generally used. CNC equipment is used to machine grooves for the tubes in the substrate, embedding the tubes and filling them with epoxy resin or welding them at appropriate locations, maximizing lifespan and thermal performance.

2.FSW Stir Friction Welded Liquid Cooling Plate

The FSW stir friction welded liquid cooling plate consists of a substrate and a cover plate. liquid flow grooves are machined into the substrate using CNC, then the cover plate is placed above the grooves and FSW (friction stir welded). Finally, the welded surface is smoothed, and inlet/outlet holes and component mounting holes are added.

3.Deep Hole Drilled Liquid Cooling Plate

Deep hole drilled liquid cooling plates are created by drilling a series of holes in an aluminum plate to form multiple flow paths. The fluid inlet and outlet paths are established first, then holes are drilled perpendicular to the main fluid path, and some holes are blocked to create a continuous coolant path. The advantage of this type is that there are no thermal boundaries during manufacturing, and the aluminum plate experiences no thermal stress, making it easier to achieve flatness.

4.Brazed Liquid Cooling Plate

Brazed liquid cooling plates are typically used in designs requiring low thermal resistance and high performance. This type of cooling plate offers significant design flexibility, including thermal resistance, heat flow, pressure drop, fluid paths, dimensions, shapes, material hardness, surface geometries, and component installation on both sides. Internal structures can be created by machining flow guides and heat sinks from the base material or by introducing high-performance corrugated aluminum fins, which are then brazed together.

5.Die-Cast Liquid Cooling Plate

Die-cast liquid cooling plates feature a two-part structure, suitable for complex large-capacity liquid cooling plates. Multiple internal and external metal components can be combined within two die-casting tools. After casting, the two die-cast pieces are bonded together through welding or epoxy resin.

6.Vacuum Brazing

Brazing in a high-vacuum environment allows for maximum control of the brazing process, preventing oxidation or scaling. This method is the preferred choice for aerospace components, medical devices, and applications requiring high precision.

Advantages of Liquid Cooling Plate Heat Sink

Liquid cooling plate heat sinks are efficient cooling devices widely used in electronic products and machinery to help lower temperatures, maintain normal operation, and enhance performance. Below, we will detail the advantages of liquid cooling plate heat sinks.

First, liquid cooling plate heat sinks can provide exceptional cooling efficiency. Compared to traditional air cooling systems, liquid cooling plates utilize liquid’s high thermal conductivity to transfer heat generated by the equipment more quickly to the liquid and remove it through the liquid circulation system. This efficient heat transfer allows liquid cooling plates to effectively reduce the temperature of equipment, preventing overheating that could damage devices and improving their performance and lifespan.

Secondly, liquid cooling plate heat sinks offer stable and reliable cooling effects. Due to liquid's high thermal capacity, it can absorb more heat, allowing the heat sink to maintain a lower temperature during extended operation. Additionally, the liquid circulation system ensures continuous heat removal and stable cooling performance. Whether under high loads or during prolonged use, liquid cooling plates can provide reliable cooling, ensuring stable operation of the equipment.

Furthermore, liquid cooling plate heat sinks are characterized by low noise. Compared to traditional air cooling systems, the liquid pumps in liquid cooling plates operate quietly, effectively reducing noise disturbances in the work environment and for users. This makes liquid cooling plates an ideal choice, especially in noise-sensitive settings such as offices and recording studios.

Moreover, the installation and maintenance of liquid cooling plate heat sinks are relatively straightforward. Their compact and simple structure allows for easy installation. The core components, such as the pump and liquid tank, can be maintained and replaced, offering a long lifespan and relatively low maintenance costs. This makes liquid cooling plate heat sinks a convenient and cost-effective cooling solution.

Application Scenarios for liquid Cooling Plate Heat sinks

1. Cooling for Electronic Devices

Liquid cooling plates are widely used in electronic devices such as computers, servers, and communication equipment. These devices generate a significant amount of heat during prolonged operation, which can lead to overheating or failure if not dissipated promptly. liquid cooling plates circulate coolant through the device to effectively absorb and remove heat, maintaining the normal operating temperature of the equipment.

2. Industrial Production Equipment

Many industrial production devices also generate substantial heat during operation, such as laser cutting machines, injection molding machines, and stamping machines. These devices require strict temperature control, as excessive or insufficient temperatures can impact production efficiency and product quality. Liquid cooling plates can quickly and evenly remove heat, keeping the equipment operating within a constant temperature range, thus improving production efficiency and product quality.

3. Medical Equipment

Medical devices, such as MRI machines and X-ray machines, also require cooling to ensure stability and accuracy. The application of liquid cooling plates in medical devices can effectively lower operating temperatures, enhancing stability and precision to ensure the accuracy and safety of medical diagnoses and treatments.

4. New Energy Sector

Liquid cooling plates are also widely used in the new energy sector, such as in solar panels and wind power generation equipment. These devices generate significant heat during energy conversion, which, if not dissipated promptly, can affect conversion efficiency and potentially damage the equipment. Liquid cooling plates can effectively remove heat, keeping devices within suitable operating temperature ranges and improving energy conversion efficiency and equipment lifespan.

How to Distinguish the Quality of Liquid Cooling Plates?

1. Appearance

Just like a person, a product reflects quality. The appearance showcases taste and attitude. Basic requirements include: uniform chamfers, no burrs, a pleasant touch, roughness no greater than 6.3, no residues, and no oxidation discoloration.

2. Material

In a competitive market, some vendors reduce costs by using non-standard materials for the cooling plate's substrate, which is generally aluminum. Some plates are made from recycled aluminum, which may contain impurities. While this poses minimal risk in air-cooled devices, it can lead to leakage and corrosion in liquid cooling plates. Using non-standard materials can reduce costs by hundreds to thousands of dollars, explaining the price differences among suppliers. Check material sources and obtain material reports and SGS certifications to confirm quality.

3. Craftsmanship Details

Even with the same materials, differing craftsmanship can lead to vastly different performance. Consider these aspects:

①Dimensional accuracy, with hole precision generally around 0.1mm and good consistency.

②Chamfering methods should be machine-operated for uniformity and aesthetics.

③Observe deformation, especially in the installation areas of key components, where flatness should generally be within 0.1mm per 100x100mm area, with higher precision required at 0.02mm. Higher flatness improves cooling efficiency, which can be measured with a straightedge and feeler gauge.

4. Liquid Channel Formation Process

For liquid cooling plates with embedded copper tubes, the fusion of copper and aluminum should create a smooth surface. Assess quality by examining the flatness; any gaps or unevenness can affect cooling efficiency. Additionally, if joints are soldered, prolonged use may lead to leaks, indicating subpar products.

5. Packaging and Transport

As a core component of devices, liquid cooling plates are heavy and costly. High-quality plates prioritize the protection of liquid channels, often using specialized covers to prevent dust and debris ingress. For transport, wooden crates should be used to prevent damage. For high-value products requiring timely delivery across regions, it's recommended to use express shipping services.

Finally, and most importantly, liquid cooling plates must be leak-free and pose no risk of leakage. Each product should undergo leak testing and be able to pass burst pressure tests. For brazed products, watch for potential leakage points, especially in thin-walled structures.