Brass/copper vs plastic/aluminum radiator

[Goza]

Tried a search and didnt come up with anything. I thought for sure someone has mentioned this before.
Mostly from a durability point of view. Do the new aluminum/plastic radiators hold up about the same as the brass ones?
I have read that there is no difference in cooling effectiveness. And they are cheaper and lighter, but do they last or do they have about the same lifespan?

Thanks

[MagicRat]

Copper has a better heat conductivity rate, so all things being equal, a copper radiator cools better. However, other design factors, like fin density can compensate for this difference.

Personally, I find the copper radiators tend to lose the tiny fins between the tubes first, due to wintertime corrosion. Aluminum fins hold up better, but aluminum rads develop more leaks around the tanks and gaskets. So, generally, both types seem to have about the same lifespan.

[Goza]

Thanks,...Thats what I was wondering about. For around 200 dollars less than a copper one,and get the same life,Ill probably go for the aluminum .

[jdmccright]

Some places offer all-aluminum radiators at about 30-50% premium over plastic/aluminum...depending on how exotic your car is.

Aluminum is much lighter than copper/brass, but copper is the better heat conductor and dissipator...it's lower heat capacity allows the metal to rise in temperature faster, providing that needed temperature difference between the surface and the surrounding air.

All I'll suggest is that you make sure that the coolant used will protect it. Most new brand-name and and OEM formulas are made for aluminum.

[Goza]

Originally Posted by jdmccright

..depending on how exotic your car is.

Not even in the least bit.

[curtis73]

Its typically a wash... copper/brass conducts heat faster, but aluminum retains its durability in more extreme shapes. This means that an aluminum radiator can have more/flatter tubes which gives it more surface area to shed heat. In the end, most applications are a wash; the additional conductivity of the copper/brass is evened out by the additional surface area that can be achieved with aluminum.

There are three basic types of aluminum radiator: 1) plastic tank, which is attached by a gasket and "crimped" onto the core, 2) aluminum tank, which is epoxied onto the core, and 3) a fully welded aluminum radiator. The first is prone to leaking... not necessarily soon, but much sooner than the other two. I would weigh the cost/benefit. For an occasional weekend cruiser it probably won't matter. For a daily driver, the fully welded radiator is the only way to go.

One of the main reasons OEMs went to aluminum is that it became cheaper. Aluminum is also a bit more resistant to corrosion, especially electrolytic corrosion.