A heat pipe is a component that can rapidly transfer heat by utilizing the principle of two-phase change of matter (liquid and gas) and convection. Strictly speaking, a heat pipe can only be considered as a heat-conducting element rather than a heat dissipating element. Its fast and uniform temperature characteristics make it widely used in various fields.
The manufacturing process of a heat pipe involves removing the internal air, injecting working fluid, and sealing it. The boiling point of the working fluid will significantly decrease in a low-pressure environment. After absorbing heat in the evaporation zone, the working fluid quickly vaporizes and moves towards the condensation zone. After exchanging heat with an external heat source, the vapor condenses into a liquid and flows back to the evaporation zone through the capillary force of the pipe wall or gravity and pressure difference. This cycle continues repeatedly. By utilizing the principles of two-phase fluid flow, the heat transfer coefficient of a heat pipe is about 50 to 100 times higher than that of pure aluminum.