6 Heat Sink Removal Procedure

The heat spreader on the package provides mechanical protection for the die and serves as the primary heat dissipation path. It is attached with an epoxy adhesive to provide the necessary adhesion strength to hold the package together. For an application in which an external heat sink subjects the lid adhesion joint to continuous tension or shear, extra support might be required.

If the removal of an attached external heat sink subjects the joint to tension, torque, or shear, care should be exercised to ensure that the lid itself does not come off. In such cases, it is recommended to use a small metal blade or metal wire to break the lid to heat sink joint from the corners and carefully pry the heat sink off. The initial cut should reach far enough so the blade has leverage to exert upward pressure against the heat sink. Contact the heat sink and heat sink adhesive manufacturer for more specific recommendations on heat sink removal.