A Guide to Different Types of Car Radiators

Introduction

The radiator of the car is a prominent part that maintains the vehicle cooling system in an effective and efficient manner. There are various signs of radiator damage, like overheating, leakages, corrosion, etc., which a car owner should be aware of and take timely action. An individual should do regular inspection of the vehicle coolant system, as the timely action prevents hefty costs in repairing the damage. For more information on radiator repairs you can find out more at Natrad. This article provides a general overview of different types of car radiators.

Different types of car radiators

There are various types of car radiators on the market. These are listed below:

  • Copper-brass radiators: These radiators have been in the automobile industry for many years. These radiators bear their name for various reasons, though the most important one is the material used to construct them, which includes copper tubes, and brass tanks have good thermal conductors. The copper-brass radiators were widely used in the older models of vehicles and mostly in the classic cars. One disadvantage of having copper-brass radiators is that these radiators are denser than aluminum radiators, and while they provide good cooling, they may not be the best alternative for today’s vehicles, where manufacturers are now fixing weight as a major issue in increasing fuel consumption.
  • Aluminum Radiators: Aluminum is a light metal and has strength sufficient for use in cars; it is also a good conductor of heat, hence suitable for use in radiators. An aluminum radiator is usually smaller in terms of weight compared to a copper-brass radiator, and this means that it takes less effort and energy to be transported around the vehicle, and this in the long run means that fuel will be saved. Aluminum radiators also have another advantage in the form of being resistant to corrosion.
  • Plastic-Aluminum Radiators: Most of today’s cars also use plastic aluminum radiators; this is a radiator with an aluminum core support and plastic tanks. The aluminum middle layer acts as a heat sink that expels the heat away, and the two plastic tanks minimize the overall weight and cost of the radiator. This makes a combination between plastic and aluminum to be used in the production of radiators relatively cheap but able to last longer and perform well; thus, they are commonly used in mass-produced automobiles.
  • Dual-Pass Radiators: The dual-pass radiators provide even better cooling and are applied most frequently in extra-power and racing cars. In a regular car radiator, the coolant only flows through the workings once and goes from one side of the car to the other. In a single-pass radiator, the coolant circulates through the radiator only once before it is sent back to the engine, while in a dual-pass radiator, the coolant passes through the same radiator twice before it is directed back to the engine compartment.
  • Oil coolers and transmission radiators: Oil coolers and transmission radiators serve the same purpose as transmission coolers for controlling the temperature of the engine oil or the transmission fluid, as the case may be. These radiators are commonly used in high-performance cars or simply in vehicles that require more cooling for their lubricating fluids to meet the high heat demands and thus offer efficient performance.
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Conclusion

There are various car radiators available on the market, and an individual should choose accordingly. It is important for an individual to know about the different types of radiators available in the market, as each has its own advantages and disadvantages.