Question Is this Nickel Plated heatsink or Aluminum (Laptop heatsink)

[clemsyn]

I would like to use Liquid Metal but reading the instructions, it said not to use with Aluminum so I would like to find out if it is nickel plated. Thanks.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

Posting for updates
I like the idea of liquid metal, I don’t like the mess it can cause.

 

[chrisjames61]

I would like to use Liquid Metal but reading the instructions, it said not to use with Aluminum so I would like to find out if it is nickel plated. Thanks.

With that copper heatpipe the base it surely isn't aluminum.

 

[aigomorla]

i want to say its plated... but looking at the grooves for the screws, and how well that plate job is, especially those 2 position nicks on the plate, it is making me second guess something.

If you can see copper under the plate anywhere, its most likely plated.

 

[clemsyn]

i want to say its plated... but looking at the grooves for the screws, and how well that plate job is, especially those 2 position nicks on the plate, it is making me second guess something.

If you can see copper under the plate anywhere, its most likely plated.

I scratched the plate deeper just outside the L mark and did not see any trace of copper. Do you think it's all aluminum or aluminum coated with nickel?

 

[aigomorla]

Its going to be one of these:

1. Copper with Nickle plate.
2. Anodized Alu.

Common practice however is not to mix disimular metals like that especially ones that high on the galvanic table, because if moisture, and yes its a electronic which is moisture phobic, but if by some chance moisture did get in, you would get corrosion on the sink.

So im really leaning to 1 more then 2.

But after reading the thread on what you want, it seems this is a laptop, and i highly do not recommend you using liquid metal on a laptop, unless u really know what your doing.

This not a stationary device, liquid metal is liquid at hotter temps.
A laptop is not always in 1 direction and tends to be tossed around in many different orientations which could cause leakage unless again, you know what your really doing.

 

[mindless1]

Its going to be one of these:

1. Copper with Nickle plate.
2. Anodized Alu.

Common practice however is not to mix disimular metals like that especially ones that high on the galvanic table, because if moisture, and yes its a electronic which is moisture phobic, but if by some chance moisture did get in, you would get corrosion on the sink.

Heatpipe 'sinks with copper pipes and aluminum fins are very common, and also used in many non-computer radiator applications. Dissimilar metals, it's not something the computer industry avoids much except for no longer using tin card contacts in gold plated sockets.

It's definitely not nickel plated aluminum, and from the slight brushed finish I see, it's not likely to be plated. If you want to be certain then instead of a slight scratch, you should take a very small drill bit and make a 1mm deep hole.

More on point, there is no reason to use liquid metal unless you are heavily overclocking which doesn't make much sense on a laptop.

 

[clemsyn]

Thanks for the tips. I'm sticking to paste.

 

[JEDIYoda]

If I may jump in....
Even though liquid metal is a superior to most pastes.
It has one glaring drawback......it is highly corrosive and even a tiny drop on your mobo or vid card, etc....
this material is 100% conductive as it's entirely comprised of liquid metal. If you use to much and cause a drip it will absolutely short out your board/CPU/GPU. If properly applied it will not drip and you will have no issues. Plus it can be messy@!!!