Metal heating radiators: detailed product review

Any heating system assumes the presence of basic heating devices - radiators. All of them today are made of metal, but there are several varieties of this material, so the characteristics of specific products may differ. In addition, certain types of products may have their own design features.

Main materials of manufacture

First and foremost, it is necessary to consider the types and alloys of metals used in production, so that the choice is significantly narrowed. Familiarization with their positive qualities will allow better orientation in the proposed range. The raw materials are alloys of iron and aluminum.

Inexpensive cast iron

The material is an iron alloy with a high carbon content, therefore, brittleness is inherent in cast iron products. Radiators of this type of heating do not look very attractive from an aesthetic point of view and have a rather impressive weight.

However, they have their own merits.

• Products are not demanding on the quality of the coolant, which is associated with high corrosion resistance.
• Products made of cast iron for space heating can retain heat for quite a long time..
• Duration of operation of heating devices can reach fifty years..
• The low price of cast-iron structures of radiators allows you to save on the construction of a heating system.

Note! Unattractive appearance is usually hidden with the help of special screens. The range of decorative grids is large enough, so it will be possible to choose an option for almost any design decisions.

Habitual steel

The material is also obtained as a result of the combination of iron and carbon, but the latter substance is contained in a smaller quantity, due to which the properties change somewhat. The main disadvantage of steel batteries is their propensity for corrosion. In this regard, reduced service life of products.

The advantages of the products described below.

• Good heat transfer provides the ability to effectively heat the room.
• A variety of design solutions greatly expands the possibilities.
• Lightweight weight simplifies installation and transportation of heating elements.

Note! In the manufacturing process, as a rule, low-carbon steel is used, which is characterized by increased resistance to corrosion. The surface of products is degreased and treated with powder enamel.

Thermally conductive aluminum

Products based on this metal are characterized by high performance. During the manufacturing process, silicon additives are added to the molten aluminum in order to increase the strength values. From the prepared mass sections or collectors are made. Finished products are made by two methods.

In the first case, the elements are molded from the molten mass at elevated pressure. If necessary, you can get fragments of completely different forms. Such heaters are able to withstand pressure up to 16 atmospheres.

A cheaper option is to use an extrusion method when individual parts of the device are produced. After production, the segments are connected to each other by pressing. Their ability to withstand pressure is much worse than that of cast analogues.

Looking at the table below, you can see the technical characteristics of aluminum batteries.

Aluminum radiators for home heating are not recommended to be connected to pipelines made of other metals, as this may lead to the rapid spread of corrosion. The quality of the coolant should be given special attention.

As for the positive qualities, they are presented below.

• The high efficiency of the batteries makes it possible to arrange very efficient heating systems.
• Very lightweight design allows you to do the installation by hand with a minimum number of assistants.
• The stylish design of heating radiators makes it possible to successfully fit them into modern interiors.
• The heat does not spread quite evenly, focusing mainly on the ribbed side.

Attention! Chemical activity of this metal is one of the main drawbacks. When chemical impurities appear in the coolant, a sufficiently rapid destruction of the walls occurs.

Bimetallic analogues

To improve the quality of the batteries, it was thought to combine two materials at once. Such constructions consist of steel pipes having aluminum elements. They are distinguished by good corrosion resistance. Such radiators are able to withstand pressures up to 35 atmospheres, and this, under normal conditions, is quite significant.

The main disadvantage of the products is the high cost, but they last the longest when compared with other batteries.

Some other negative points are difficult to identify, therefore, below are only the most important advantages.

• Due to the compatibility of two metals with different properties and their high-quality assembly, heating radiators serve from 20 to 50 years without repair work.
• High strength characteristics are achieved due to the steel base, which is able to withstand not only high pressure, but also mechanical stress.
• Fast space heating is possible due to the presence of aluminum in the design of the heating battery. The rate of heat propagation is considered to be the most optimal than in situations with other analogues.
• The design of models is very diverse, so you can find a suitable option for the realization of your own ideas in terms of design of living space.

Recommendation! It is possible to install bimetallic radiators in various buildings, but in high-rise buildings it is desirable to use them first of all, since in them the coolant is supplied under high pressure.

Final part

This instruction was presented specifically for individual developers who are poorly versed in heating appliances, so that they can decide on the choice of radiators. To make an acquisition should be guided not only financial opportunities and design decisions, but also practical considerations. As an additional application, it is recommended to use video.