In the study of
heat transfer,
fins are surfaces that extend from an object to increase the rate of heat transfer to or from the environment by increasing
convection. The amount of
conduction,
convection, or
radiation of an object determines the amount of heat it transfers. Increasing the
temperature gradient between the object and the
environment, increasing the convection
heat transfer coefficient, or increasing the
surface area of the object increases the heat transfer. Sometimes it is not
feasible or
economical to change the first two options. Thus, adding a fin to an object, increases the surface area and can sometimes be an economical solution to heat transfer problems.