Differences Between Copper And Aluminum Radiator

At present, many generators on the market are matched with aluminum radiators. We all know that aluminum radiators are not as thermally conductive as copper. So which one is longer in service life? Does the low melting point of aluminum affect the service life? The melting point of copper is 1084.4°C, and that of aluminum is 660.4°C. However, because the diesel generator contains overheating protection devices, it will not reach this temperature at all. On the contrary, high temperature water determines the radiator life. The water in our daily life is not pure water. It contains various ions, especially the concentration of chloride ions. When copper comes into contact with active ions such as Cl- and SO42- in the water, it will locally produce the active ions containing these active ions. The reaction product and water generate acid. The SO2, CO2, and H2S in the air dissolved in water will also reduce the local PH value. Intrusion into copper will accelerate the corrosion of copper and cause pitting corrosion in the copper radiator and copper hot water pipe.

The aluminum radiator of generator cannot avoid the erosion of water, and Cl- will destroy the protective film of aluminum. Cl- penetrates into the protective film through the pores or defects on the aluminum surface, so that the protective film on the aluminum surface is colloidal and dispersed. The Al2O3 protective film undergoes hydration and becomes a hydrated oxide, which reduces the protective effect. Moreover, the Cu2+ generated after the copper parts are corroded will accelerate the pitting corrosion of aluminum. In addition, SO2 in the air is adsorbed by the water film on the aluminum surface, dissolving to generate H2SO3 (sulfurous acid) and reacting with oxygen to generate H2SO4 to corrode the aluminum surface. When Cl- with strong diffusion and penetrating power destroys the aluminum protective film, SO2- contacts with the aluminum matrix again, and corrosion occurs. This cycle increases the corrosion of aluminum. As the corrosion potential sequence of aluminum is much higher than that of copper, under the action of electrolytes such as water, when aluminum contacts these metals, a galvanic couple is formed. Aluminum is the anode. Galvanic corrosion will aggravate the corrosion of aluminum more quickly. Therefore, the life of the aluminum radiator is still not as long as that of the copper radiator.

The differences between all copper and all aluminum water tank radiators are: different heat dissipation effect, different durability and different antifreeze.

1.Different heat dissipation effects

1.1.All copper water tank radiator: the heat dissipation effect of all copper water tank radiator is better than that of all aluminum water tank radiator. The heat conduction effect of copper is better than that of aluminum, which is easier to dissipate heat.

1.2.All aluminum water tank radiator: the heat dissipation effect of all aluminum water tank radiator is worse than that of all copper water tank radiator, and the heat conduction effect of aluminum is worse than that of copper, so it is not easier to dissipate heat.

2.Different durability

2.1. All copper water tank radiator: the durability of all copper water tank radiator is better than that of all aluminum water tank radiator. The copper oxide layer is much denser and has high corrosion resistance.

2.2 All aluminum water tank radiator: the durability of all aluminum water tank radiator is worse than that of all copper water tank radiator. The aluminum oxide layer is very loose and the corrosion resistance is low.

3.Antifreeze is different

3.1. All copper water tank radiator: all copper water tank radiator can use water as antifreeze without blocking the water tank.

3.2. All aluminum water tank radiator: all aluminum water tank radiator cannot use water as antifreeze, but must use appropriate antifreeze. Adding water will cause water tank blockage.

According to material classification: the radiator of engine cooling system is divided into copper water tank and aluminum water tank.

According to the classification of radiator structure, the radiator of engine cooling system is divided into tube belt type and plate fin type. Coupled with the material, the common radiator of engine cooling system in the market is mainly copper pipe belt, aluminum pipe belt and aluminum plate fin.

Advantages of copper water tank radiator:

Copper pipe with water tank, fast heat conduction and good heat dissipation performance. Water can be used as antifreeze

Now there are almost no pure copper and aluminum water tanks radiators, all of which are added with other components.

The overall price of aluminum water tank is cheaper than that of copper water tank. It is suitable for large-area radiator. The aluminum plate fin water tank has good reliability and durability.

There is no doubt that copper radiators are much more expensive than aluminum radiators. With the progress of aluminum water tank technology, some companies considering operating costs have begun to widely adopt aluminum water tank radiator.

The durability of copper is better than that of aluminum. The main reason is that the oxide layer of aluminum is very loose, the oxide layer of copper is much denser, and the corrosion resistance of copper substrate is much higher than that of aluminum. Therefore, in the slightly corrosive environment, such as natural water, weak acid, weak alkali solution and salt environment, aluminum will continue to be rusted until it is rusted through, while the oxide layer of copper is not easy to be damaged, the substrate is much more corrosion-resistant and has good natural durability.

Therefore, when you consider to use which type of radiator, you can make decision according to your requirements, such as installation situation on site, working environment etc. If you are interested in diesel generators, welcome to contact Dingbo Power by email dingbo@dieselgeneratortech.com, we will guide you to select suitable product.