5 Major Functions of Coolant?
1 Answers
Five functions include: cooling effect, anti-corrosion effect, anti-scaling effect, anti-freeze effect, and heat dissipation effect. Below are the relevant introductions: 1. Cooling effect: The cooling effect is the basic function of coolant. When the engine is working, it generates a large amount of heat, with 60% of the heat being dissipated into the surrounding space through the cooling system. Water and methanol coolants have low boiling points and are prone to boiling. If the vehicle operates under conditions where the coolant boils, even for a short time, it can cause engine damage or even failure. 2. Anti-corrosion effect: Prevents and reduces corrosion in the cooling system. The cooling system components such as the radiator, water pump, cylinder block, cylinder head, and water distribution pipe are made of metals like steel, cast iron, brass, copper, aluminum, and solder. Due to the different electrode potentials of these metals, electrochemical corrosion can easily occur under the influence of electrolytes. Additionally, acidic byproducts from the decomposition of glycol substances in the coolant and acidic exhaust gases from fuel combustion can permeate into the cooling system, accelerating corrosion. 3. Anti-scaling effect: Scale in the cooling system originates from cations like calcium and magnesium in water. Under thermal load conditions, these alkaline earth metal cations can react with anions in water to form scale. 4. Anti-freeze effect: In winter, substances that lower the freezing point of water are used as antifreeze to prevent the cooling system from freezing in low temperatures. Coolant is sometimes referred to as 'antifreeze' or 'non-freeze liquid.' 5. Heat dissipation effect: The heat dissipation effect allows the coolant to provide efficient heat dissipation, carrying away excess heat energy from the engine to control the temperature of critical metal components.
