cars

Copper Brass Radiators

The radiator is one of the most important operating systems of an automobile for as compared to a human body they serve as pores to reduce body (or engine ) heat . In other words , radiators are responsible for keeping an automobile 's engine at a safe operating temperature . An increase in engine temperature is an indication that a radiator is not functioning well which will then lead to overheating and consequently the damaging of the engine . A damaged engine means an automobile will not run . Because of its important function

research had been made to find the best radiator material for an optimum engine temperature control and at the same time for long life radiator endurance

Technically speaking , radiators are types of heat exchangers designed to transfer thermal energy from one medium to another for the purpose of cooling and heating . In a more general term , the word "radiator refers to any of a number of devices in which a liquid are allowed to circulate through exposed pipes usually with the help or presence of fins or other means of increasing the surface area . In cases of automobiles that has a liquid-cooled internal combustion engine the radiator is designed in such a way that a liquid (coolant ) is pumped to its connecting channels which runs through the engine and cylinder head Coolants are composed of a half-and-half mixture of water and ethylene or propylene glycol . Most importantly , a small amount of corrosion inhibitor known as antifreeze is added to it . The cooling of an engine is made possible through the method of heat transfer from the fluid inside the radiator to the air outside

Generally radiators are placed in a position where it is easy for them to receive airflow prompted by the forward movement of the car such as behind the grill . The size of the radiator is very important for it is directly proportional to its cooling capacity however it must be kept in mind that radiator size is dictated by its ability to keep the engine at the design temperature under the most extreme conditions a car is likely to encounter (such as climbing a mountain while fully loaded on a hot day . In modern car developments , cooling is further aided by either a variable speed or cycling radiator fans (Maleev , 1978 ,

.388-389

Like any modern innovations , continues researches had been made to determine the best radiator material . The use of copper brass had proven to be the most advantageous by far . Its inherent high thermal conductivity , higher melting point , lower coefficient of thermal expansion , good corrosion resistance , machinability , strength and ease of fabrication had made it a primary metal for radiators in early cars and trucks ( Avner , 1974 ,p .461 . However , the heavy soldered copper-brass radiator was replaced by aluminum in the 1970s when the auto industry shifted for lower weight in to decrease fuel consumption . Aluminum was chosen to be the next best choice for radiators because aside from its...