Pro/Forums - View Single Post - Making CU -and AL shiny. How?!

RoboTech · 10-13-2002, 11:23 AM

Good info on lapping, etc...

(confirms much of what I try to practice)

1. Flat
2. Clean
3. Smooth
4. Shiny is mostly for looks

It seems like most discussions generally center around lapping the heatsink/waterblock surface. But what about the other half of the equation - the CPU die top surface. At times I have attempted a light lapping on the Athlon die, but I'm always afraid to do much. Without a good way to fixture the CPU and hold it FLAT, I'm not sure how much good I am really doing either.

Anyone have any info or experiences to share on lapping the CPU? Thanks,

This is a guide I wrote a while ago Heatsink and Waterblock Lapping Guide
It covers the basics and a little theory for do-it-yourself at home lapping, but not to the extent you guys are talking about here. Any comments or suggestions to help make it better are welcome...

PS Back to the original question _ Making Cu & Al shinny. I use the following procedure to clean copper blocks (NOT aluminum) prior to silver plating.
1. Wash it well in soap and water (pre wash)
2. Quick rinse and brush off in dilute sodium hydroxide solution (degrease)
3. Flush well with lots of water (neutralize)
4. Quick rinse in dilute Nitric acid (20 seconds)
5. Thourough rinse with lots of distilled water (neutralize)
The copper surfaces should be very shinny at this point...

10-13-2002, 11:23 AM	#26
RoboTech Cooling Savant Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 229	Good info on lapping, etc... (confirms much of what I try to practice) 1. Flat 2. Clean 3. Smooth 4. Shiny is mostly for looks It seems like most discussions generally center around lapping the heatsink/waterblock surface. But what about the other half of the equation - the CPU die top surface. At times I have attempted a light lapping on the Athlon die, but I'm always afraid to do much. Without a good way to fixture the CPU and hold it FLAT, I'm not sure how much good I am really doing either. Anyone have any info or experiences to share on lapping the CPU? Thanks, This is a guide I wrote a while ago Heatsink and Waterblock Lapping Guide It covers the basics and a little theory for do-it-yourself at home lapping, but not to the extent you guys are talking about here. Any comments or suggestions to help make it better are welcome... PS Back to the original question _ Making Cu & Al shinny. I use the following procedure to clean copper blocks (NOT aluminum) prior to silver plating. 1. Wash it well in soap and water (pre wash) 2. Quick rinse and brush off in dilute sodium hydroxide solution (degrease) 3. Flush well with lots of water (neutralize) 4. Quick rinse in dilute Nitric acid (20 seconds) 5. Thourough rinse with lots of distilled water (neutralize) The copper surfaces should be very shinny at this point... Last edited by RoboTech; 10-13-2002 at 08:42 PM.