Critical heat flux describes the thermal limit of a phenomenon where a phase change

occurs during heating (such as bubbles forming on a metal surface used to heat water),
which suddenly decreases the efficiency of heat transfer, thus causing localized
overheating of the heating surface.

CHF, a value of heat transfer, per unit time and area, where a surface’s heat-transfer
characteristics suddenly change.

For example: When the cooling panels of an electronics system become covered with a
layer of vapor that blocks heat transfer, the resulting rise in temperature can damage or
destroy the equipment that supplies heat.