Introduction to Different Types of Vehicle Radiators
From the early days of the automotive industry to today, various materials have been used to manufacture radiators. With advances in automotive production technology, the choice of materials has also increased. This is done to provide maximum cooling effectiveness and ensure the integrity of equipment and automobiles. Here are the different types of vehicle radiators.
Copper and brass vehicle radiator
Until 1980, copper and brass vehicle radiators were the standard configuration for all cars. These devices have a brass water tank and copper core. According to the automotive enthusiast community, a basic copper and brass radiator can dissipate heat at a rate of about 1,500 BTU per hour.
Although large and bulky, copper and brass radiators are not without advantages. Modern advances in copper-brass technology by the International Copper Association have made these radiators nearly 50% lighter than traditionally manufactured radiators. They also have lower air pressure (about 30%) because copper-brass branded parts are much smaller. Smaller parts also mean less likelihood of pipes bursting due to pressure inside the radiator. If a brass radiator has reached its end of life, modern types of radiators can be 100% recycled, making them environmentally friendly. The main drawback of brass radiators is that they are very expensive and over time, they rust and are inefficient in the long run.
Plastic vehicle radiator
To address the weight and cost issues of its brass counterpart, car makers turned to plastic radiators. Naturally, plastic is much lighter than metals like copper or brass, and it is also cheaper to produce. Today, this is one of the most commonly used materials for modern vehicle radiators. They dissipate heat up to 1,000 BTU per hour, which is good for plastic car parts. According to experts, the result of the lightweight is better fuel economy. The production of plastic car parts is machine-made and not done manually, which is why they are more cost-effective.
Aluminum car radiator
Aluminum has high thermal conductivity, meaning it can conduct heat well and absorb heat faster. This allows the hot coolant to be cooled immediately through aluminum tubes, which is beneficial when it returns to another cycle to cool the car engine. Depending on the manufacturer, 100% aluminum car radiators can conduct up to 2,000 BTUs per hour. Efficiency is improved by 41% compared to similar products made of brass.
