Bimetallic radiators: what kind of heating is this and what are they made of?

Bimetallic radiators - These are batteries that consist of 2 metals: aluminum and stainless steel. Thanks to the aluminum coating, they heat up quickly and cool down quickly if necessary. Also, such equipment is more durable - it lasts 20 years or longer. The pros and cons, tips for choosing bimetallic batteries are discussed below.

Design and characteristics of a bimetallic radiator

Unlike classic ones, bimetallic radiators consist of 2 metals at once:

1. The shell is aluminum (shown in white).
2. Frame, vertical channels – stainless steel.

Moreover, the outer surface is always covered with an aluminum layer, and the base is made of stainless steel - the battery frame. It is represented by a steel manifold and steel heat-conducting channels, as shown in the diagram.

In the description of such equipment, certain characteristics are always given, so the question often arises what the numbers 500 80 of a radiator mean. The first value characterizes the height of the section, and the second - the depth. In both cases, the measurement is in mm. That is, the radiator in question has a height of 500 mm (50 cm) and a depth of 80 mm (8 cm).

Thus, we can say about bimetallic radiators that this is a battery of the same design and similar functions, but is made of 2 metals at once. Main technical characteristics of the equipment:

• section height in mm;
• section depth in mm;
• center distance, that is, the interval between the outlet and inlet pipes - also in mm;
• working pressure in atm;
• number of sections per piece;
• heat transfer in W (per 1 section);
• coolant volume in l (usually up to 0.2 l);
• weight in kg (per 1 section 2 kg);
• the thickness of the steel inserts is on average 1.5-2 mm;
• type of connection (for example, side).

A particularly important indicator is heat transfer. On average it is 120-140 W per 1 section. If we consider that heating a room of 10 m2 requires 1000 W (that is, 1 kW), then this value is quite enough for a small room.

Pros and cons of bimetallic structures

Having understood what a bimetallic radiator is, you can analyze what the advantages of this design are. There are many advantages over conventional batteries:

1. Durability: devices last for decades without any problems. If we talk about what it is - bimetallic heating radiators, you will notice that the composition contains 2 metal alloys. The joints are completely sealed; no oxides or other corrosion products form inside the pipes. Therefore, the service life is 20 years or more.
2. Resistant even to high pressure and strong hydraulic shocks. What bimetallic radiators are made of allows them to operate without interruption even during maintenance and repairs.
3. One of the main advantages is associated with increased heating at the same heating level. This is due to the fact that the outer part is made of aluminum, which reflects heat well. Thanks to this, it does not go into the wall, but into the air, which warms up faster.
4. We can say about bimetallic radiators that this is equipment that provides rapid heating of even a relatively large room. On the other hand, the surface cools quickly if you turn on the tap or adjust the temperature with a thermostat.
5. Simple and inexpensive maintenance - the design of bimetallic radiators compares favorably with old cast-iron batteries both in quality and price.

But there are also disadvantages:

1. These batteries are more expensive than regular ones. It is clear what bimetal means - it is a combination of 2 compositions at once. Therefore the price is usually higher.
2. The contact points between the structure and the surface may overheat, but only if installed incorrectly.
3. The design of the bimetallic radiator is incompatible with antifreeze. Only water can be used as a coolant.

How to choose a radiator

Even if you know what a bimetallic radiator looks like in cross-section, this is not enough to choose truly high-quality equipment. Experts recommend paying attention to several parameters:

1. Composition – on sale you can find batteries in which only the vertical columns are made of steel. They are more resistant to corrosion than classic bimetals, although they do not provide such a strong effect in terms of heating.
2. The high-quality design of bimetallic heating radiators has inserts not only of steel, but of copper. They provide more efficient heating.
3. Particular attention should be paid to the sizes. If the window sills are standard (height 80 cm), you can use 500 mm batteries. And if they are lower, it’s better not to risk it and set it to 350 mm.
4. It is clear how a bimetallic heating radiator works and what its main function is. Therefore, when choosing, you need to pay attention to heat transfer.This value is calculated for 1 section, so you need to select batteries with such a number of elements that a room of a given area is well heated.
5. If you know what bimetallic means, then you need to understand the composition, as well as the manufacturer itself. The main suppliers of such batteries are Chinese factories. Their products are not always of high quality. If durability is important, it is better to choose the Italian brand Global.

It is quite obvious that bimetallic means “made of 2 metals”. Such equipment provides quick heating and lasts longer compared to classic batteries. On the other hand, the purchase and installation itself will cost more. But since the service life exceeds 25 years, all costs will be recouped.