Aluminum Radiator

Aluminum Radiator – Thermal Heat Exchanger

Before talking about aluminum radiators, it is useful to know what the function of a radiator is. The movement of a car engine will cause friction. Friction will then result in heat. Oil is usually used to provide lubrication. Oil will also reduce the amount of friction caused. Oil is not enough to cool down the engine however. A radiator will offer sufficient cooling to the whole engine.

A radiator will prevent the engine from overheating and seizure. The design of a radiator will include fans for circulation to be possible. It does this by use of water and anti freeze mixture pumped through the engine chambers. This will absorb any excess heat and draw it from unwanted areas.

This is how a car radiator works. Radiators are used for temperature control in buildings and electronics. It can either be used to heat the area around it. Or it could be used to cool it down.

The material of the radiator should therefore be one that has high heat transfer. There are several materials used for radiators. Using aluminum as a material is good. It has a high heat transfer coefficient. It is not heavy and conducts heat well. It is also more economical to use as compared to other materials like copper, steel and brass. An aluminum radiator is far lighter than standard radiator metals like copper, steel, brass, and lead, aluminum sport radiators are often 40% lighter and take weight of the front of your car (an important consideration, especially for racers). Generally, a lighter front end means better handling. Aluminum radiator is also more susceptible to acid corrosion. An aluminum radiator is also more susceptible to acid corrosion.  An aluminum radiator using 1-inch-wide tubes with 0.016-inch wall thickness is 60 percent lighter than the same copper-brass radiator.

Much lighter in weight as compared to regular radiator metals such as copper or steel sports racing radiators are frequently 40% lighter as well and this is weight that is removed from the front end of your vehicle and will increase the handling. (an essential consideration, particularly for racing enthusiasts).  Aluminum radiators can be less strong and susceptible to acid chemical deterioration.  A light weight racing automobile aluminum radiator making use of 1-inch-wide pipes along with .016-inch wall thickness will be 60% lighter in weight when compared with identical copper-brass-steel radiator.

Any light weight aluminum radiator can also be much more vulnerable to acid deterioration. A top quality light weight aluminum radiator offers 20% – 30% more cooling compared to a good comparable conventional radiator. If you own a drag racer or high end sports car which has greater horsepower you should consider an improved performance racing aluminum radiator.

Benefits of An Aluminum Radiator

Weight: Compared to alternative materials, aluminum is lighter in weight. Being light, it is relatively cheaper. Fitting and replacing it in is also easier. When used on a vehicle, it will not be heavy. A lighter car is faster than a heavier car. Fuel efficiency on a light car is also better.
Easy to repair: When a radiator made of plastic cracks or leaks, you will need to replace the whole unit. But an aluminum radiator can be welded and continue to function normally. As such it will also save you cost. You might only need to pay for labor.
Long Lasting: In case of an accident, an aluminum radiator will not bend or crack as compared to others.
Easier to dispose off: should you need to replace your radiator, you can have your old one recycled. Aluminum is therefore an eco friendly material.

The surface area of a radiator is important to ensure that temperature is effectively reduced. As such, materials that are thinner would perform better. Nowadays radiators are made of wide tubes to provide more surface area. A wider tube will allow for direct contact between the fins and the tube. This will as a result increase the capacity of the radiator to dissipate heat.

Tubes that are used to cool temperatures should be able to control internal pressure properly. Too much pressure can cause a weak material to swell. This was the main disadvantage of using copper as a radiator material. It was too weak. As compared to copper, aluminum is stronger. Also by being light, it can make thin tubes easily. When used on wider tubes, they will not present a problem with pressure.

Radiators on buildings
You will also find radiators on homes, offices and other public buildings. They are useful in providing heat through the winter period. Gas and electric space heaters use gas and electricity respectively. Radiators use hot water to warm spaces. As the hot water passes through the fins of the radiator, heat is dispersed. Most of these radiators are made of aluminum. This is because it is a good conductor of heat.

Caring for your aluminum radiator on your car is easy. You can spray water on it to remove any dirt or debris. This will prevent it from blocking. Also fill it with the right coolant mixture.