We know you have been researching for a while about “radiators”. That search is exactly what brought you to this blog. The good news is that you are on the right page. We will answer “Are aluminum radiators more efficient than other types of radiators?”.
Before we begin to compare and come to a conclusion, you need to know the types of radiators available in the market.
Radiators can be differentiated by distinct material types or on the basis of airflow.
Radiators' ability to cool is affected by a host of different factors. These factors include the materials used in construction, methods, and design. The point is to look at how radiators function, not all the different elements of radiator design. Through the radiator core, the hot coolant that comes from the engine passes through the tubes of one radiator tank to the other. As the heat moves through the tubes, it is transferred to the tube walls and dispersed by the radiator fins. The wider the radiator's surface area, the better it can cool. The way radiators work is the same everywhere, so why are there two different flow styles?
Neither of these radiators require any special skills to construct. The only difference is where the tanks are attached. With a down-flow radiator, the radiator core is connected to a tank at the top and bottom. Flowing coolant enters the top tank and runs down to the bottom tank.
By now, you should have figured out that crossflow radiators have tanks on both sides. The coolant enters one side of the radiator and moves across to the other. But does that effect the cooling capacity?
It is assumed that crossflow and down-flow radiators made from the same materials and construction techniques will provide the same level of cooling. Where does the difference lie?
Space under the hood is what makes the difference. Depending on your vehicle or equipment, you may be able to fit a larger crossflow radiator instead of a down-flow. This relates back to the surface area. It will cool equally if the radiators are the same size. It is possible to increase cooling capacity by installing a larger radiator with a different flow pattern. Which radiator to use primarily comes down to space requirements.
Copper-Brass RadiatorsUp until 1980, all automobiles came equipped with copper- brass radiators with brass tanks. Due to their high cost and corrosion issues, copper radiators have been replaced by plastic and aluminum radiators.
As advancements have taken place over time, copper- brass radiators have become more compact and lighter.
The main problem with copper-brass radiators is their high cost and vulnerability to rust over time. Although they are reliable and do their jobs perfectly well, they are also expensive.
Plastic and aluminum radiators, which are the cheapest types of car radiators, have an aluminum core and a plastic tank.
Modern cars are equipped with these radiators, which are mass-produced by manufacturers.
Aluminum radiators are designed for high-performance cars requiring top performance and feature both an aluminum core and a tank made of aluminum.
Aluminum radiators have a great cooling efficiency Due to its high thermal conductivity, aluminum absorbs heat much more quickly.
The following are some additional benefits of aluminum radiators besides being a less expensive alternative to copper-brass radiators. The lighter your vehicle is, the more fuel efficient it is. Aluminum is relatively light in weight.
Aluminum radiators also have the advantage of being recyclable metals, which means they are friendlier for the environment. The old aluminum radiator can be recycled at local recycling centers if you decide to replace it. After melting down, the aluminum will be made into a brand-new radiator or another aluminum item.
Another reason why aluminum radiators are more efficient is because of the life of an aluminum radiator. It is generally longer than that of a copper-brass radiator. The lifespan of most aluminum radiators is between 8 and 10 years. These last between six and ten years longer than copper-brass ones!
The material copper is actually a better conductor of heat than aluminum. The problem is that a copper radiator is not completely made of copper. The tubes and fin are copper however they are bonded together with lead, which has horrible heat transfer capabilities. The end tanks are brass, and the side channels are steel. The trick to better cooling is wider tubes and shorter fins. This increases the “tube to fin” contact area, which determines the radiator’s efficiency.
Aluminum radiators are 100% furnace brazed without any insulating solder. Because of this, aluminum radiators have a better cooling capacity than copper radiators.
There is no comparison between copper-brass and aluminum in terms of heat conductivity. Comparatively, copper-brass conducts more heat. A larger tube and more fins increase the surface area.
Wouldn't it be great if we could build a five-core copper-brass radiator featuring enormous tubes and lots of cooling fins? There are certain limitations, such as the weight, strength, and airflow of the materials.
A copper-brass alloy cannot withstand the pressure generated under even relatively mild cooling systems, so its tubes are more likely to burst.
For better understanding, let's break it down as follows: -
As a result, two rows of aluminum tubes, each 1 inch in diameter, will be able to cool as effectively as five rows of copper-brass tubes, each 11/42 inches in diameter. The two-row design allows for smoother airflow through the core because it frees up some extra room under the hood. The more air you have, the better the cooling.
If your car was built before 1980, you might wonder if an aluminum radiator can be installed. You can usually switch to aluminum radiators in most cases.
There are some instances in which an aluminum radiator should be your first choice when you need to replace your radiator:
A custom radiator might also be a viable option in some cases.
Another example of a situation where you might need a custom-built aluminum radiator is if you have a muscle car, hot rod, or race car.
Aluminum radiators cool better when designed well. The aftermarket and OEM markets are seeing an increase in aluminum radiators these days.
Since aluminum radiators are more resistant to pressure and damage, they carry less risk of corrosion. These qualities make them flexible and extremely sturdy.
Additionally, their cores are thinner, allowing for better airflow, while their aluminum tubes are wider, so they have a stronger contact with the fins.
Lastly and most importantly, the price is about half that of copper brass equivalents.
Verdict: Yes, aluminum radiators are more efficient than other types of radiators and you should get yours today!
Are you looking to replace a radiator but unsure what cooling your car needs? Well look no further because we have created an extensive guide for picking the ideal radiator choice for you!
We know choosing a radiator replacement can be tricky, especially if it’s your first time replacing a cooling system part. You might encounter terms like 2, 3 or 4 row radiator cores. How does all this work and how do you choose which core configuration is best for your car?
That’s what we’re here for and today, we’re going to focus on the optimal amount of rows in a radiator core for your car’s cooling requirements.
Natrad offers a nationwide 3-year warranty on radiators, so if you’re looking for a replacement, talk to a cooling specialist technician at one of our stores across Australia.
The core is the part of the radiator between the tanks. It is made up of tubes that carry the coolant and fins that transfer heat from the tubes to the air passing through the core. Rows are number of lines of tubes from one face of the core to the other (front to back). 3 lines of tubes are found in a 3 row radiator. More rows mean more tubes which means more cooling. So how do you know which core is best for you?
Well things get a lot more simple when you account for the following things:
Depending on how much horsepower your engine can generate, it will produce a respective amount of heat. This needs to be cooled in order to prevent overheating and to allow your car to perform at it’s best. It’s possible to cool the engine too much so it does not reach optimum operating temperature – resulting in decreased fuel efficiency and exhaust emissions.
If you use your vehicle for city driving versus frequent on-track racing or track meets, your cooling needs are going to be drastically different. Racing requires high cooling capacity and minimal weight – so you’re going to need an efficient radiator. Whereas a city or passenger car is likely to fit a stock standard replacement or similar.
Climate also plays a big part. Australia is a generally hot place during the summer, but certain states like Queensland or Northern Territory deal with humidity or heat a lot more than the rest. It can be difficult for a vehicle to dissipate excess heat in these conditions – this is where you might benefit from a larger radiator with more rows.
Summary: as a general guide, 3+ radiator rows stands to benefit a high performance or heavy duty vehicle. 1-2 is usually stock standard but can be highly efficient for more strenuous uses depending on other core specs.
Whether you select a 2, 3, or 4 row radiator it’s important to consider other core specs. Sometimes high performance cooling can still be achieved by adapting these factors, especially for vehicles that cannot fit a thicker radiator with more rows. See below;
Tube size and surface are important as this is what the coolant is going to flow through. The more surface contact, the more heat dissipation. For instance, a wider tube or dimpled tube surface increases contact surface area leading to more efficient cooling. Cooling performance can also be increased by fitting more tubes within the same core size.
Fins are placed between the tubes to increase contact surface area where they are doing the bulk of heat dissipation work. Increased contact between the tube and fin improves heat transfer to more efficiently remove heat from coolant passing through the tubes. Heat dissipation can be adjusted with changes to FPI (number of fins per inch) and also fin type.
Cores are made up of fins and tubes. A 1 row core is a common configuration for an everyday modern road car. Some other factors that can increase cooling include FPI, fin type, core and header material as well as tube pitch (distance between tubes), size and surface.
Let’s summarise. You can use the following check list to pin-point the best option for you.
Generally, this will keep you on the right track:
The average car radiator weighs 10-15kg without any coolant fluid.
The weight of a radiator will depend on the materials used to manufacture the core, tank and fittings.
The best way to ensure your replacement radiator will fit in place of your old radiator is to ensure their dimensions match.
You’ll need to measure your radiators’ height, width and thickness.
For help sizing up your radiator, or for selecting a replacement, feel free to get in touch with us. We’ll help you discern what model of radiator you currently have so we can find accurate measurements.
Every engine has an estimated heat rejection value, which estimates how much heat the engine lets off at its normal operating temperature.
As a rule of thumb, you should select a radiator that’s capable of handling 15% more heat than your engine’s heat rejection value. That will give you a buffer if you find you have to push your engine harder than normal, on a hot day or during a long road trip, for example.
If you have more questions, speak to a cooling specialist at Natrad. There are 50 Natrad workshops nationwide who can provide detailed advice on the best options suited to you.