Heat Spreader Content

[Long Shot]

Hello everyone - There has been a little discussion about heat spreaders here and there on the forum. So, I took all of mine into my favorite scrap yard today (along with a bunch of other scrap) and it kind of befuddled the young fella working there as, I guess, no one has brought them in before. I told him they should be #3 copper as they are plated and had stroked a few with a file to clearly show the underlying copper. He must have been read the riot act before for not determining proper grades as he asked me to take a few to the office to have the boss determine what he wanted to pay for them. The boss has one of those expensive analyzers, which was really cool to see as he did offer. So here is the result for anyone interested:

Zinc - 3%
Nickel - 25%
Copper - 72%

And....he agreed, #3 copper :mrgreen:

 

[necromancer]

which heat sinks ?

there is 1,000's of different types

copper, aluminium, copper & aluminium, MLC (mid low copper) stainless steel .......

photos would be nice

 

[dannlee]

I'm believing its ashed chip non-magnetic remainders? If so, after solders (silver?) are removed its nice to know, might pay fuel for scrap run : )

 

[Long Shot]

Good morning.

Necromancer - yes, I suppose a photo would have been nice. Problem is they are all gone now. For clarity, these are not referred to as heatsinks on this forum, rather heat spreaders, as I believe I have correctly called them, in the original post. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong but they serve to spread the heat from the chip evenly which is then transferred to the heatsink on top of it that is coupled to it with heatsink compound. Heatsinks applied to CPUs are usually always finned aluminum extrusions. Spreaders are flat, relatively heavy stampings and are either soldered to the chip or coupled with compound and adhered to the PCB with a double sided tape of some sort. The latter is the newer, more cost effective (I'm sure) version. As mentioned, they have been discussed in recent posts and there was a photo of one but I can't remember where. I have read so many it is hard to keep track.

Dannlee - I did not incinerate these but pried them all off by hand (sucker for punishment I guess). But yes they could easily be done like that. I did put the heat to one of the gold brazed, soldered ones and yes, it looks like a silver solder for sure, as mentioned I only had 25 of them so was not going to expend a bunch of energy to recover. I had to make a run to a few yards Saturday so just packed up all I had ready to fund the trip and get some cash to reinvest in other materials so the scrap dealer got a little bonus this time. Also, I always need more room! If I came across a huge amount of them I would be devising a plan to deal with them for max PM recovery.

 

[philddreamer]

As I understood from your first post, you are referring to this type on the picture. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Thanks!

Phil

 

[necromancer]

https://www.google.ca/search?q=heat+spreader&es_sm=122&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=MZBvU-qBCouZyASt9oHIAQ&ved=0CEEQsAQ&biw=1024&bih=526

 

[dannlee]

Google migraine #1442.

So a CPU package cover plate - interface plate - heat spreader plate, if not aluminum, can be sold as #3 Copper (Sheet Copper)....

 

[Reno Chris]

The XRF high tech analyzer does not see very deep. Its a surface reader. Probably the reading is way too high in nickel on a nickel plated item - and as you say, a few file scrapes will reveal the copper underneath - The XRF will read way higher in nickel than the entire block really is because it is emphasizing the surface. Taken as a whole, those heat spreaders are probably only a couple percent nickel.

 

[Long Shot]

Hey Chris - I do agree with your view, it is hard to see them being 25% nickel as it is plated and nickel is more expensive than copper. That was my first exposure to the analyzer and I think my scrap guys have it just to make sure it is somewhat close to what they are thinking or what the seller is telling them. These guys are very fair in my experience, they don't hoard stuff for ages as their yard is very small, rather they just buy a little lower than spot and sell it for a little more. Because they are very fair they are also very busy. I think most of us are used to yards of 50-100 acres or more but these guys operate in the middle of a town on about 2 acres. Their close proximity to Toronto is what I think make it work for them.

Phil - that is it exactly!

Necromancer - yes, Phil has posted exactly what I'm on about. BTW - very interesting about your mall parking lot finds, good thinking. I just got a new Garrett Euro Ace yesterday. Dying to try it out. Wish the day had 48 hours in it!

Dannlee - well, in Port Hope anyways! As above, that is why I go out of my way to deal with these guys. They have never tried to screw me over and if you want to buy something out of their pile, again, very reasonable and fair. I can not say the same for the one and only dealer in my city - those guys are what gives the trade slanderous, racist overtones if you get my drift.

 

[kurtak]

You should be able to get #2 copper price for those as they are basically the same as tin or silver plate wire which is #2 copper - at least that is what I get for them - I would file the plating off the full top of one to show to your guy at the scrap yard so he can get a better idea of with it is

Kurt

 

[Long Shot]

Thank you Kurtak - they are paying $2.60 lb for #3 and $2.75 for #2. For the amount I had (1/2 a 1 kg coffee can) it is not worth the stress of argument but good advice. I try to not get beat by the scrap man as I have in my younger years. That is why I travel to these guys but need to make a truck load to make it worthwhile - fuel ya know.