Typically, a Heat Sink is made from materials with good thermal conductivity, such as aluminum, copper, or graphite. It is often designed with fins or columns to increase the surface area and enhance heat dissipation. The working principle involves conducting the heat generated by the heat source through the thermally conductive material to the surface of the heat sink, where it is then released into the surrounding environment through convection, radiation, or the use of fans. Some high-end heat sinks also incorporate liquid cooling or heat pipe technology to further improve cooling performance.

In electronic products, Heat Sinks are primarily used for high-heat components like processors (such as CPUs and GPUs), power transistors, and LED light sources. They also play a key role in automotive, telecommunications, and industrial automation systems, helping to prevent overheating that could cause performance degradation or damage, thereby enhancing the reliability and performance of the entire system.