On 5/22/12 9:46 AM, Randall wrote:
> I'm not convinced that aluminum represents an upgrade. It does not
> conduct heat as well as copper, plus isn't as strong so it has to be
> thicker. It also corrodes easier and is harder to repair. Its main
> advantage seems to be that it is cheaper. If you already have a usable
> modern copper core, I'd stick with that.
OK.
Thermal Conductivity is the quantity of heat transmitted, due to unit
temperature gradient, in unit time under steady conditions in a
direction normal to a surface of unit area. This changes with
temperature.(Btu/(hr degrees F)
Metal - Degrees F - BTU/(hr degrees F) Higher means better conductivity
Copper - 68 - 223
Aluminum - 68 - 118
Yellow brass - 68 - 67
Copper brass (70% Cu, 30% Zi) - 68 - 64
Cast iron - 68 - 27 to 46
Aluminum radiators do last longer with with a sacrificial zinc rod, anti
freeze formulated for aluminum & distilled water.
Do you have a pure copper radiator with pure copper rods?
Teriann
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