Steel versus Aluminum Board Trays for Vaportites

For thermal design-in, aluminum is often preferred over steel because of its higher thermal conductivity, although for most applications steel is likely to be adequate.

Using an aluminum board tray of sufficient thickness inside a closed system like a vaportite enclosure, we notice conduction often exceeds convection with an inefficient heat transfer rate for the system.

To achieve efficient transfer of heat into the air, conductivity of a board tray material inside a closed system must come close to the convection airflow over the vaportite enclosure.

The selection of the LED board tray material thickness and type for rate of heat transfer within a closed system is important for effective cooling and efficient transfer of LED module heat to the outside air from the board tray within a closed system.

SLP Lightings Citadel enclosure LED board trays are designed with 0.020” steel versus aluminum for mid-power LED design-in applications for best overall cost and system thermal performance.

Learn more about the new Universal Boardtray/Geartray Combo from SLP