Heatpipe - solder?, grease?

[OhMyGosh]

I am going to use a heatpipe running through a ~1/4 rod for a multiple Luxeon Rebel experiment. I am wondering how to make a good thermal connection with the heatpipe. Will soldering raise the internal pressure to high ? I need to connect the pipe to a heatsink at the other end. What is the best way to make good thermal contact?

I would prefer not to flatten the pipe, or put in to much bend because this is a test with low-bin LED's and I want to re-use the heatpipe.

 

[hmmr]

I'm planning to do the same, and as thinking to just drill a 8mm hole in a copper plate, and use artic silver to increase heat transfer.

 

[LukeA]

If you can solder it, that would be the best way. The pressure won't be anything the pipe's walls can't handle, but because of the extremely low specific heat of the heat pipe, it will be a ***** to solder.

 

[hmmr]

Maybe the best way is to use solder paste, and heat the whole setup in an oven.

 

[frenzee]

Solder would of course be the best way to go. In experimenting with Luxeon rebels (solder vs. thermal glue), there is no comparison. Solder is by far the better conductor, datasheets notwithstanding.

However I tried soldering a 3mm heatpipe to a copper backing plate and it was just impossible with a 40W solder gun. I was too chicken to try a butane torch, but that's probably the only way to do it. If you do go that route, I would strongly recommend wearing eye protection, preferably doing it from behind a plexiglass shield. I don't know what they use to seal the ends of your particular heat pipe, but if it's solder, then obvously it is going to melt and out gas in the process, so be careful there.