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The popularity of these aluminium radiators puzzles me.
Whilst they have now been tested in various cars and can be seen to ‘work’ there seem to be several variables over the standard:
* They are made from a less efficient material in terms of SHC
* We don’t actually know how their capacity compares to standard (though this could easily be tested)
* We don’t know how the fin and tube areas compare
* The colour is less efficient for purposes of radiation (though the term ‘radiator’ is actually misleading)
* My experience of aluminium radiators in ‘modern’ cars is they have a far shorter life than copper/brass before oxidation takes its toll on the fins.
Having been to where they are made, and now knowing how they are made and from what components, and having held discussions with them about how they might make fuel tanks for ‘us’, I’m fairly certain there has been no ‘engineering’ involved.
I can get a standard Sprint radiator recored with the correct matrix for about £100, yet the alicool version is £250.
Can someone explain their appeal to me please, and why they are considered to be an ‘upgrade’?
Main benefits are:
1) Weight (they are much lighter) - not always important to classic owners I agree but on new cars or race cars weight is an issue
2) Aluminium is stronger so the tubes can be made larger than copper/brass which
can increase the surface area with the cooling fins.
3) A typical Sprint radiator features 3 rows of thin tubes which is good for surface area but actually not very good for efficient transfer of heat from the radiator to the air. Think about air coming through the radiator. The air hits the first row fine but then transfers some of the heat to the air which then hits the 2nd and 3rd rows. From a design perspective this is not very efficient due to poor airflow. A standard viscous fan doesn't help in traffic as it just wafts hot engine bay air at your radiator.
4) In a modern car the aluminium material helps the vehicle to reach operating temperature more quickly.
In a nutshell an aluminium radiator is typically more efficient for it's given size and weight, stronger and better is higher pressure systems than copper/brass. This despite being a poorer material from a thermal point of view.
Also don't forget you can always paint your aluminium radiator black which is what I've done.