Protect computers, sensitive electronic components, lighting, injection molders, and HVAC systems from damage by routing heat away from them and toward a heat sink, where the heat can be dissipated. For best results, heat pipes should be soldered to heat sinks and other components. For small jobs and prototypes, however, they can be joined with thermal epoxy. Cooling capacity is the amount of heat that a heat pipe can carry.

Flat heat pipes, often called vapor chambers, can be embedded into your heat sink to spread heat uniformly across the base, helping the heat to dissipate faster.

Heat pipes with a grooved wick transfer heat better than those with a sintered wick, meaning they can carry more heat. They are not good, however, for applications that will require many bends in the pipe. Position them horizontally, since they do not work well against gravity.

Heat pipes with a sintered wick handle high fluctuations in temperature better than those with a grooved wick. They’re also best for applications that will require many bends in the pipe. Position them horizontally or vertically—they work well in both orientations.

Use optional heat pipe benders to create smooth, accurate bends in round heat pipe. These specially designed tools allow a smooth bending motion to reduce marks on your pipe, which ordinary pliers can often leave behind. All have graduation markings to prevent over bending, which can reduce the ability of your heat pipe to transfer heat. Every 45° bend in a heat pipe will reduce the cooling capacity of the heat pipe by about 2.5%. Place these tools on benches, vises, and workstations without scratching them—all have rubber mounting feet.