SinkPad™
SinkPad is a cost-effective and scalable direct thermal path solution that conducts heat out of LED systems more efficiently than traditional MCPCBs.
SinkPAD is a thermal management Printed Circuit Board (PCB) technology that conducts heat out of an LED more efficiently than conventional MCPCBs.
It offers superior thermal performance for medium- to high-power LEDs. It is also the most cost-effective and scalable direct thermal path MCPCB solution for LED applications.
SinkPAD technology boasts significantly higher thermal efficiency compared to even the best MCPCBs on the market. For example, aluminum-based SinkPAD PCBs transfer heat at a rate of 210.0 W/mK, and copper-based SinkPAD PCBs transfer heat at a rate of 385.0 W/mK — while conventional MCPCBs have a heat transfer rate of only 1-5 W/mK.
How does SinkPAD work?
To understand how SinkPAD technology functions, let’s examine the primary thermal path in LED applications. In LEDs, heat originates at the chip (die), similar to how heat originates at the filament in a light bulb. The key difference is that light bulb heat radiates into the atmosphere, while LED heat must be conducted through a series of mediums before reaching the atmosphere. High thermal conduction leads to cooler-running LEDs, while low thermal conduction results in hotter, potentially self-destructive LEDs. Ideally, substances with low thermal conductivity and high thermal resistance should be removed from the conduction thermal path, as they slow heat transfer and increase junction temperature.
Conventional MCPCBs, commonly used for LED heat dissipation, use a thermally conductive dielectric layer to bond the circuit layer with the base metal. The MCPCB’s thermal performance relies on its dielectric layer, which remains the weakest link in the conduction thermal path. SinkPAD PCB overcomes this limitation by eliminating the dielectric material from the conduction thermal path — providing a direct thermal path and reducing LED junction temperature.
Although SinkPAD still uses a dielectric, it insulates the metal base electrically while maintaining thermal conductivity, therefore increasing thermal performance. SinkPAD technology can significantly decrease or even eliminate the reliance on active cooling systems for applications that originally had inadequate thermal conduction, resulting in reduced production costs.
- High heat transfer rate - 210 W/m.K to 385 W/m.K
- Minimal thermal resistance
- Minimal thermal resistance
- Extend LED lifespan
- Produce more lumens per LED
- Increase light output with fewer LEDs
- Reduce overall fixture cost
- Most cost-effective direct thermal path solution
- Direct replacement for MCPCBs and aluminum PCBs
- No design changes - existing MCPCB designs can be used
- Ideal for surface-mounted LED components
- No design changes - existing MCPCB designs can be used
SinkPAD Benefits
Frequently asked questions
Have questions about SinkPAD? We have answers. If you don't see the answer to your question, feel free to get in touch with our team.
Contact usSinkPADTM is a patented metal core printed circuit board (MCPCB) technology that creates a direct thermal path for high-temperature LEDs.
A SinkPAD PCB is an alternative to traditional aluminum PCB or MCPCB, offering a direct thermal path solution for medium- to high-power LEDs. It allows advanced heat dissipation of 100x a traditional PCB.
SinkPAD MCPCB improves the conduction cooling thermal path.
The thermal conductivity depends on the base material, and is approximately 135W/m.k for aluminum and 385W/m.k for copper. Most designs use aluminum as the base material.
SinkPAD is designed for LEDs with electrically neutral thermal pads. Most-used brands include Cree, Philips Lumiled, Osram, Nichia, Seoul Semiconductor, Samsung, Bridgelux and LEDEngin.
Yes, it is specifically designed to lower junction temperatures in medium- to high-power LEDs above 1.0W.
Yes! Multiple LEDs with electrically neutral thermal pads can be mounted onto one PCB.
The assembly process is the same as for conventional MCPCB or aluminum PCB.
SinkPAD MCPCB overcomes the limitations of conventional MCPCB by eliminating the dielectric material from the conduction thermal path, providing a direct thermal path and reducing LED junction temperature.
No, SinkPAD PCB can be made using any thermally-conductive metal or metal composite. Aluminum is the most common base material due to its lightweight and cost-effectiveness.
No, your existing MCPCB or Aluminum PCB Gerber data can be used.
Yes, SinkPAD offers star PCBs for various industry-standard LED packages.
SinkPAD MCPCB offers premium performance compared to conventional MCPCB. It is competitively priced compared to high-performance dielectric MCPCBs.
