One of the most important contributing factors in the long life of LEDs is keeping them cool by lowering their very hot (close to 150 Deg C on some High Bright LEDs) junction temperature. Metal Core Printed Circuit Board (MCPCB) is one of the best means of assembly for the new super bright surface mount LEDs.
The most common yet effective MCPCBs are made with a layer of Aluminum as the base, on top of that, is a heat dissipating but electrically isolated layer of a proprietary insulation material; and on top of that is a layer of Copper. The base thickness can range from .8 (.032") to 3mm (.125"). The insulation layer is typically very thin and it's specification varies between manufacturers based on their specific technologies. The Copper layer can be specified for the application and is available from 1 Oz to 4 Oz.