Automobile radiators are constructed of a pair of metal or plastic header tanks, linked by a core with many narrow passageways, giving a high surface area relative to volume. This core is usually made of stacked layers of metal sheet, pressed to form channels and soldered or brazed together. For many years radiators were made from brass or copper cores soldered to brass headers. Modern radiators have aluminum cores, and often save money and weight by using plastic headers with gaskets. This construction is more prone to failure and less easily repaired than traditional materials.
Radiators are heat exchangers used for cooling internal combustion engines, mainly in automobiles but also in piston-engined aircraft, railway locomotives, motorcycles, stationary generating plants or any similar use of such an engine. Internal combustion engines are often cooled by circulating a liquid called engine coolant through the engine block and cylinder head where it is heated, then through a radiator where it loses heat to the atmosphere, and then returned to the engine. Engine coolant is usually water-based, but may also be oil. It is common to employ a water pump to force the engine coolant to circulate, and also for an axial fan[1] to force air through the radiator.
Unique Composition and Physical Characteristics Aluminum alloys incorporate aluminum and other metals (e.g., copper, zinc, manganese, magnesium), giving them low density and high strength—used extensively in aerospace, automotive, construction, and sports equipment. Excellent thermal and electrical conductivity also make them valuable for electronics and power transmission.
An inlet restrictor is a device placed inside the inlet of a fuel tank or radiator system to control or restrict certain functions. In automotive fuel systems, it has specific uses, but some systems can apply similar concepts to coolant systems as well. Here is a breakdown of its uses:
Not all oils are created equal, and the quality of the oil you use can influence the efficiency of the oils in cooling the engines. Here are some factors to consider:
Engine oil serves two primary functions: lubrication and cooling. These are interrelated roles because proper lubrication will also enhance the cooling that is required in most applications. Now let’s see how oil meets each of these functions:
