What material is an automobile radiator made of?
2 Answers
Automobile radiators are made of aluminum, copper, or plastic, but aluminum radiators are gradually replacing copper radiators. The main reason is that copper is more affected by fluctuations in material market prices. To produce cost-effective vehicles, automakers prefer aluminum radiators. An automobile radiator, also known as a heat exchanger, is a key component in the vehicle's cooling system. Its function is to dissipate heat—coolant absorbs heat in the water jacket, flows to the radiator to release the heat, and then returns to the water jacket to circulate, regulating temperature. The cooling system's purpose is to dissipate excess and unnecessary heat from the engine, ensuring it operates within normal temperature ranges under various speeds or driving conditions.
I've always been fascinated by the materials used in car radiators. As far as I know, they're typically made of aluminum alloy because aluminum has excellent thermal conductivity, is lightweight, and rust-resistant. The manufacturing process is quite meticulous, involving welding or bonding aluminum sheets and pipes to form a multi-layer cooling structure; plastic end caps are sometimes added to the top and sides to reduce weight and cost. Modern cars mostly use this design, which is more efficient than the old-fashioned copper radiators - copper is too heavy and prone to corrosion. Regular cleaning can extend its lifespan and prevent engine overheating issues.
