One embodiment of a heat sink comprises a metal support member having a groove
disposed at a surface thereof and a fin disposed at the groove. The fin comprises
a graphite-based material having a metal-based coating disposed thereon, and the
fin is retained at the groove via a soldered joint at the metal-based coating and
the groove. Another exemplary embodiment of a heat sink comprises a plurality of
fins alternatingly arranged with a plurality of spacers. A method of fabricating
a heat sink comprises preparing a surface of a graphite-based substrate, removing
particulate matter generated from the preparation of the surface of the substrate,
applying a metal-based coating at the surface of the substrate, and arranging the
substrate to form a heat sink structure. An apparatus for cladding fins of a heat
sink with a protective material comprises a first chamber that facilitates the
preparation of substrate surfaces, a grit-removing apparatus disposed adjacent
to the first chamber, a second chamber that facilitates the application of the
protective material to the substrate surfaces, and a transport device configured
to facilitate the movement of the substrates through the first chamber, to the
grit-removing apparatus, and through the second chamber.
