>
>> Lots of (most?) modern automotive radiators have plastic tanks (on the
>> ends of the core).  There ARE plastics that will survive the temps and
>> pressures...
>>
>>
>> Matt-
>>
>> Yes but they are troublesome. It is automotive practice to use
>> a 15 psi radiator cap but most rotary powered aircraft are now using 30
>> psi caps.
>> I see no advantage in plastic over aluminium for aircraft use.
>>
>
> My local BMW expert says for reliability purposes replace the plastic
> radiators every two years.  I had two fail in a six year period.
>
> Hans
>

Hans; the big thrill is when the tank on the heater core blows apart as you
are sitting there just idling in traffic. I have had that happen with two
'beamers.' I don't know whether their plastic tank is worse than anyone
else; but, I do still know that I have had to replace several of their
radiators as well. Maybe Europeans just don't make as good a plastic as Matt
wants; but, while I joke about using pvc and/or glass almost anywhere, off
the ground, in a pressurized situation in an engine compartment is just not
going to be it, for me, anyway.
jofarr, soddy tn


Where did it break? The normal points are either the hose connections or
the plastic lip that the
tabs bend over. These are the design fault points, BMW is renowned for
while making a quite
high tech car that goes really well when it is all working, they also
make it so that it has a
rather high maintenance cost.

Don't like plastic fine
Then aluminium or steel (Just can;t see in)
Or another way is a thin sheet of perforated aluminium wrapped around
the plastic tube.
as an additional pressure support.

The choice is still yours.

No matter which type of tube it is about the same effort to make.
Except for the aluminium wrap

Regards David Gaze


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