Bimetallic battery which is better

Bimetallic radiators, which, as is clear from the title, made from the composition of the two metals, began to be produced more than fifty years ago in the European countries.They quickly gained widespread popularity due to their reliability and operational efficiency when installed in any heating system.

Bimetallic batteries which to choose, and what you should pay particular attention to?This question always arises in all those who have decided to replace the old heating units with more modern variants, differing and high performance, and a respectable appearance.

The production of bimetallic radiators established in Russia.Domestic products - are quite popular, and it paid off when installed in a central heating system.

design bimetallic radiators

General principles for design

This type of radiators consists of two main parts made of different metals.

their inner part is made of stainless steel or, less commonly, copper because these metals - are highly resistant to corrosion of the heated coolant.Pipes from these materials are arranged vertically and horizontally, and it is for him there is coolant circulation.

outer part of the radiator - it is, in fact, the casing is equipped with fins, which are made of aluminum.This metal has excellent thermal conductivity and warms up quickly, giving warmth to the room, so he was selected for the outer part of the design.

interior and exterior of each radiator section are connected to each other by injection, produced under pressure, or by spot welding.Sections are collected in the battery using the nipples of steel and heat-resistant rubber gaskets designed for temperatures ranging up to 200 degrees.However, besides such batteries exist monolithic radiators of the same materials.

opressovochnoe passport pressure bimetallic batteries from different manufacturers can vary - the amount depends on the manufacture of domestic pipelines and dimensional parameters of the material.If the pressure testing of various models created test pressure of 35 atmospheres, they will be able to withstand the hammering, pressure differentials during which reaches 25 ÷ 30.This allows the use of such radiators in the central heating systems, which sometimes do not differ coolant pressure stable.

Due to its high thermal conductivity, bimetallic devices were even more effective than all the familiar cast-iron battery.

In appearance Bimetallic radiators do not differ from the aluminum models.However, they can be distinguished by weight, since due to the steel pipe "core" heavier aluminum bimetallic battery by about 50%.To be certain not to be mistaken with the choice, you should definitely examine the certificate of conformity and other technical documentation, which must be applied to batches of products, and is the seller a specialized store.

Bimetallic radiators and polubimetallicheskie

Besides bimetallic, made even polubimetallicheskie radiators.You need to know how they differ from each other, and which one is better.

• Bimetallic devices

In these bimetallic radiators made of aluminum only the outer casing of the device.

their manufacturing process is that the finished steel cores are completely laid in special shapes, filled with pressurized aluminum, which is a good conductor of heat, but is unstable to aggressive media and high-temperature coolant.In embodiments, aluminum bimetallic not in contact with the liquid medium and serves only as a heat exchanger.The design, made according to this principle, ideal for installation in the central and autonomous heating system.

In some models, the core is made of copper instead of stainless steel - these batteries are typically used only for installation in an autonomous heating system, where in special antifreeze is used as a coolant.Steel pipes, even stainless steel, with some antifreeze like "behavior" not so adequately.

water - not the only type of coolant

For dusty paths of autonomous heating system, in addition to water, other liquids used, and - this may be due to the peculiarities of operating system or requirements on the part of the boiler equipment.More about coolants for heating - in a special publication of our portal.

• Polubimetallicheskie battery

For polubimetallicheskih radiators internal channels are made of different metals.Thus, the vertical pipe can be stainless steel and the horizontal - aluminum as a conventional aluminum radiator.Sometimes the reverse option.In short, at full Bimetallic they do not "pull."

This kind of battery is not suitable for central heating systems as coolant there are often characterized by high quality and fashionable enough to contain a greater concentration of alkali.Contacting with aluminum, this composition may cause corrosion processes including "capture" and steel elements installed in combination with aluminum.Besides, wherein the thermal expansion of these metals may even lead to a shift element when exposed to extremely high temperatures, which is fraught with occurrence of leakage and even more serious accidents.

These radiators are often confused with bimetallic - apparently they are generally indistinguishable.Not really reading the intricacies often prefer them because of more affordable cost.However, as can be seen from the description, they are very much different in their reliability.

In an extreme case, polubimetallicheskuyu kind of radiator can be installed into an autonomous system.Nevertheless, if it is decided to make heating of the house or apartment as safe, then from polubimetallicheskih radiators should be abandoned, and opt for these bimetallic samples.Be sure to consider this when buying.

Monolithic or Sectional radiators Bimetallic

As already noted, made collapsible Bimetallic radiators, which are made up of sections, held together by means of nipples, and the solid, non-collapsible.

The sectional embodiment, each of the sections within the horizontal pipe sections on both sides of a mixed thread designed for screwing connection nipples with sealing gaskets.

This design is mainly significant disadvantage sectional batteries, as these joints can be damaged by, for example, low-quality coolant, which significantly reduces their life before the next preventive intervention.In addition, the compounds of the elements most likely to occur percolation, under high temperature and high pressure in the system.

To avoid these unpleasant moments, was conceived another technology of bimetallic radiators.It consists in that the first piece is made of welded steel or copper collector, which fits into a special form and filled with pressurized aluminum.These bi-metal batteries are called monolithic.

Both type has its own advantages and "vulnerabilities".

Pro collapsible drawback schemes already mentioned.A major advantage of these batteries is that in case of damage of one of the sections do not have to change the whole radiator completely, as is sufficient to make the bulkhead - replace or simply remove only the failed element.

In case of any leakage in the monolithic radiator it is only replaced completely - maintainability them is virtually nonexistent.

Selected comparative characteristics radiators of both types are shown in the table:

operating parameters	Sectional Bimetallic radiators	Monolithic Bimetallic radiators
Lifetime, years	25 ÷ 30	50
Operating pressure bar	20 ÷ 25	100
Thermal power per section watts	100 ÷ 200	100 ÷ 200

often the decisive criterion is the questionvalue.The fact that a monolithic type of radiator has a higher price than the sectional, and this difference can be up to 20%.

When using monolithic bimetallic battery has not been possible to vary the total heat output - to reduce or increase the number of sections.Therefore, before you purchase must be carefully calculate how much power is needed to heat a particular room.Choose the option you want is not difficult, since the monolithic Bimetallic radiators are manufactured in different sizes, both in length and height.

When choosing between the sectional monolithic and batteries should be taken into account and especially the heating system.For example, if you plan to install in an apartment high-rise building, it is best to choose a monolithic type of instrument, as the pressure in the high-rise buildings heating system is often quite high, there may be hammering.and the connecting section battery nodes can not stand it and let flow.

Selection Criteria bimetallic radiators

When you select a specific model, in addition to those already mentioned above characteristics, it should be and other issues that will directly affect the quality of the heat transfer devices and the duration of their operation.

• radiator design must firmly withstand water hammer and high blood pressure.It is especially important to consider when installing them into the central heating system.Be sure to pay attention to the indicator test test pressure.
• battery material should be inert to the corrosive environment of poor heat transfer medium with elevated levels of alkaline or acidity.This factor, too, is mainly concerned with the battery installed in multi-storey buildings.
• material manufacturing must also resist the occurrence of electrochemical corrosion.

• radiators must be resistant to mechanical stress, ie their outer casing should have sufficient strength.To check the quality of used aluminum (aluminum alloy), it is necessary to try to bend the edge with your fingers.The poor-quality product ribs bend easily, and sometimes may even give a crack or break.

• Internal ribbed channels should be made of the same metal, and it is better if it is high-quality stainless steel.
• inner pipe wall thickness should not be less than 3 ÷ 3,5 mm.
• important element in cell battery designs are pad, as their quality and flexibility will depend on the reliability of connections, so most of them are made of rubber or silicone.Check the quality of the sealing ring can be bent several times his fingers.If the gasket is rigid and inelastic, then it is clearly not long enough.

• The sectional radiators should be installed high-quality steel nipples, which do not pluck internal "mustache" by twisting sections and not "eaten up" thread.The fact that the nipple of poor quality, can be found on the manufacture of soft metal.

If this element is of poor quality, then unscrewing or twisting batteries, hooks for keys precisely pluck, and then the nipple is necessary to saw sander, and then removing a part of the hole sections.

• width of the front of the fins should not be less than 70 mm, since if this parameter will be less heat dissipation from the device is substantially reduced.Best of all, if the size of the section in the section will be 80 × 80 mm - these options are guaranteed to provide high heat.

Some manufacturers use a marketing ploy - reduce the price of their products by reducing the size of the sections, which greatly reduces the total heat capacity of the device.Therefore, when choosing a radiator, it is desirable to have in his pocket a tape measure or a ruler - to be able to control the optimal size.

• have quality batteries the thickness of protruding ribs must be at least 1 mm.

If the thickness of the ribs is less than 1 mm, it is likely to indicate poor quality of the product, since it reduced the strength of the radiator shroud, and not so highheat - due to the low heat capacity of the heat exchanger plates are too thin.

• is necessary to know also that if the manufacturer saves on quality nipples and gaskets - it is said that all the product, with a probability closeto 100%, it is not characterized by high quality, and from it is better to refuse.
• Do not buy and devices for which the manufacturer gives a warranty period of 1 ÷ 2 years, despite the fact that the life of the bimetallic cell battery is 25-30 years, and solid - even around 50.Such a small guarantee says that the manufacturer did not confident in their products.

Advantages and Disadvantages of bimetallic radiators

Further, it would be nice to highlight the main "pros" and "cons" of these devices are quite popular today.

Positive their qualities are the following:

• Bimetallic radiators fit perfectly into the modern interiors of both residential and office space.

• This kind of radiators are often manufactured with a different color scheme.If not found the desired color, then allowed to self-coloring.