Full bimetal radiators. Bimetallic radiators
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Bimetallic radiators, which, as the name implies, are made from a composition of two metals, began to be produced more than fifty years ago in European countries. They quickly gained wide popularity due to their reliability and operational efficiency when installed in any heating system.
Which bimetallic batteries are better to choose, and what should be paid for Special attention? This question always arises for all those who decided to replace the old ones. heating devices for more modern options characterized by high performance characteristics, and respectable appearance.
Today the production of bimetallic radiators has also been established in Russia. Domestic products are quite popular, and they have fully justified themselves when installed in central heating systems.
Design of bimetallic radiators
General design principles
This type of radiator consists of two main parts, made of different metals.
Their inner part is made of stainless steel or, less often, copper, since these metals are highly resistant to the aggressive environment of the heated coolant. Pipes made of these materials are located vertically and horizontally, and it is through them that the coolant circulates.
The outer part of the radiators is, in fact, a casing equipped with fins, which is made of. This metal has excellent thermal conductivity and heats up quickly, giving off heat to the premises, which is why it was chosen for the outer part of the structure.
The inner and outer parts of each section of the radiator are interconnected by injection molding, or spot welding... The sections are assembled into a battery using steel nipples and heat-resistant rubber gaskets designed for temperatures up to 200 degrees. However, in addition to such batteries, there are also monolithic radiators made of the same materials.
Crimping passport pressure of bimetallic batteries at different manufacturers may differ - this indicator depends on the material of manufacture of internal pipelines and dimensional parameters. If, during the pressure testing of certain models, a test pressure of 35 atmospheres was created, then they will be able to withstand hydraulic shocks, during which pressure drops reach 25 ÷ 30. This allows the use of such radiators in central heating systems, which sometimes do not differ in the stability of the coolant pressure.
Due to their high thermal conductivity, bimetallic devices turned out to be even more efficient than those familiar to everyone. cast iron batteries.
On appearance bimetallic radiators practically do not differ from aluminum models. However, they can be distinguished by their weight, since due to the steel pipe "core" bimetallic batteries heavier than aluminum, about 50%. In order not to make a mistake when choosing, it is imperative to study the certificate of conformity and other accompanying technical documentation, which must be attached to batches of products, and is located at the seller of a specialized store.
Bimetallic and semi-bimetallic radiators
In addition to bimetallic, semi-metallic radiators are also produced. You need to know how they differ from each other, and which one is better.
- Bimetallic devices
In real bimetallic radiators, only the outer casing of the device is made of aluminum.
The process of their production consists in the fact that the finished completely steel cores, laid in special forms, are poured under pressure with aluminum, which conducts heat well, but is not resistant to aggressive media and high coolant temperatures. In bimetallic versions, aluminum does not come into contact with the liquid medium in any way and only serves as a heat exchanger. A design made according to this principle is ideal for installation in both central and autonomous system heating.
In some models, the core is made of copper, not stainless steel - such batteries are usually used for installation only in an autonomous heating system, where special antifreezes are used as a coolant. Steel tubes, even stainless, with some similar antifreezes "behave" not so adequately.
Water is not the only possible type of heat carrier
To dust the circuits of an autonomous heating system, in addition to water, other liquids are also used - this may be due to the peculiarities of the operation of the system or requirements from the boiler equipment. More about - in a special publication of our portal.
- Semi-metallic batteries
For semi-metallic radiators, the inner channels are made of different metals. So, vertical pipes can be stainless steel, and horizontal - aluminum, as in conventional aluminum radiators... There is also the opposite option. In a word, they do not "pull" on full-fledged bimetallic ones.
Be careful - instead of full-fledged bimetallic radiators, there is a chance to purchase lower quality and reliable semi-bimetallic radiators This type of battery is not suitable for central heating, since the coolant there is often not of high quality and is fashionable to contain a sufficiently high concentration of alkali. In contact with aluminum, such a composition can cause corrosive processes, which, among other things, will "capture" steel elements installed in combination with aluminum. In addition, the differing thermal expansion of these metals can even lead to displacement of the elements when exposed to extreme high temperatures, which is fraught with leaks and even more serious accidents.
Such radiators are often confused with bimetallic - outwardly they are generally indistinguishable. Not really versed in the intricacies, they are often preferred because of the more affordable cost. However, as can be seen from the description, they differ quite significantly in their reliability.
As a last resort, a semi-metallic version of the radiator can be installed in a stand-alone system. But nevertheless, if it is decided to make the heating of a house or apartment as reliable as possible, then it is better to refuse from semi-metallic radiators, and opt for real bimetallic samples. Be sure to consider this when buying.
Monolithic or sectional bimetallic radiators
As already noted, collapsible bimetallic radiators are produced, which consist of sections fastened together with nipples, and monolithic non-collapsible ones.
In the sectional version, each of the sections inside the horizontal pipe sections has a multidirectional thread on both sides, designed for screwing in connecting nipples with sealing gaskets.
This design is the main significant disadvantage of sectional batteries, since these joints can be damaged from, for example, a low-quality coolant, which significantly reduces their service life until the next preventive intervention. In addition, leaks most often occur on the connections of the elements, under the influence of high temperatures and high pressure in system.
To avoid these unpleasant moments, another technology for the production of bimetallic radiators was thought out. It consists in the fact that first a one-piece welded copper or steel collector is made, which is placed in special form and molded with aluminum under pressure. These bimetallic batteries are called monolithic.
And this bimetallic radiator is of a monolithic assembly Both types have their own advantages and "vulnerabilities".
The lack of a collapsible circuit has already been mentioned. And the main advantage of such batteries is that if one of the sections is damaged, it will not be necessary to completely change the whole, since it is quite enough to make a bulkhead - to replace or simply remove only the failed element.
In the event of any leakage in a monolithic radiator, it only remains - they have practically no maintainability.
Selective comparative characteristics radiators of both types are shown in the table:
Cost is often the decisive criterion. The fact is that monolithic type radiators have a higher price than sectional ones, and this difference can be up to 20%.
When using monolithic bimetallic batteries, it will not be possible to vary the total thermal power - to reduce or increase the number of sections. Therefore, before purchasing them, it is necessary to carefully calculate what power is needed to heat a particular room. It will not be difficult to choose the right option, since monolithic bimetallic radiators are produced in different sizes, both in length and in height.
When choosing between sectional and monolithic batteries, the features of the heating system should also be taken into account. For example, if they are planned to be installed in an apartment of a high-rise building, then it is better to choose a monolithic type of devices, since the pressure in the heating system of high-rise buildings is often quite high, water hammer is not excluded. and connecting nodes sectional batteries may not withstand it and leak.
Selection criteria for bimetallic radiators
When choosing a specific model, in addition to the characteristics already mentioned above, there are other points that will directly affect the quality of operation of heat exchange devices and the duration of their operation.
- The design of the radiator must withstand water hammer and high pressure. This is especially important to take into account when installing them in central system heating. Be sure to pay attention to the test pressure reading.
- The battery material must be inert to the aggressive environment of a low-quality coolant with an increased level of alkali or acidity. This factor also mainly applies to batteries installed in multi-storey buildings.
- The material of manufacture must also resist the occurrence of electrochemical corrosion.
- Radiators must be resistant to mechanical stress, that is, their outer casing must have sufficient strength. To check the quality of the aluminum used ( aluminum alloy), you need to try to bend the rib with your fingers. In a low-quality product, the ribs bend easily, and sometimes they can even crack or break.
- Internal ribbed channels should be made of one metal, and it is better if it is high quality stainless steel.
- Wall thickness inner pipe should be at least 3 ÷ 3.5 mm.
- An important element in the sectional design of the battery are gaskets, since the reliability of the joints will depend on their quality and elasticity, therefore they are most often made of rubber or silicone. Check quality o-ring you can bend it with your fingers several times. If the gasket is rigid and inelastic, then it will obviously not last long.
Particular attention to the quality of the nipples - they must be made of durable steel - In the sectional radiator, high-quality steel nipples must be installed, in which the internal "antennae" will not break off when the sections are twisted and the threads will not be "gobbled up". The fact that the nipple is of poor quality can be recognized by the softness of the metal of manufacture.
If this element is of poor quality, then when untwisting or twisting the battery, the hooks for the key will definitely break off, and then the nipple will have to be sawed with a grinder, and then removed from the holes in the sections.
- The width of the front part of the radiator fin should not be less than 70 mm, since if this parameter is smaller, the heat transfer from the device is significantly reduced. It is best if the section size in the section is 80 × 80 mm - such parameters are guaranteed to give high heat transfer.
Optimum depth and width of sections - about 80 mm Some manufacturers use a marketing ploy - they reduce the price of their products by reducing the size of the sections, which significantly reduces the total thermal power of the device. Therefore, when choosing a radiator, it is advisable to have a tape measure or a ruler in your pocket so that you can check the optimal dimensions.
- In a high-quality battery, the thickness of the protruding ribs should be at least 1 mm.
If the thickness of the fins is less than 1 mm, then this most likely indicates an insufficient quality of the product, since the strength of the radiator casing is reduced in it, as well as the heat transfer is not so high - due to the low heat capacity of too thin heat exchange plates.
But on this model, the thickness of the ribs is clearly underestimated - you should think about it ... - You also need to know that if the manufacturer saves on high-quality nipples and gaskets, this means that the entire product, with a probability close to 100%, is not of high quality, and it is better to abandon it right away.
- It is not worth buying devices for which the manufacturer gives a warranty period of only 1 ÷ 2 years, despite the fact that the service life of bimetallic sectional batteries is 25-30 years, and monolithic ones - even about 50. Such a small guarantee suggests that the manufacturer himself is not confident in his products.
Advantages and disadvantages of bimetallic radiators
Positive their qualities include the following:
- Bimetallic radiators fit perfectly into modern interiors both residential and office space.
- This type of radiator is often produced with different color scheme... If not found desired color, then self-staining is allowed. For this process, special heat-resistant paint compositions are used that can withstand temperatures up to 150 degrees.
- Smooth surfaces and rounded corners make these radiators safe enough from the point of view of the possibility of injury, and therefore suitable for installation in children's rooms.
- The advantage is a fairly long guaranteed service life, subject to the selection of high-quality radiators and their correct operation.
- Bimetallic radiators can be installed in any heating system, even with a low-quality coolant.
- This type of device, unlike other modern radiators, is able to withstand high intrasystem pressure and temperatures up to 130 degrees.
- One of the key advantages of such batteries is their very high heat dissipation.
- Such devices, as a rule, are equipped with a thermostat, which allows you to set the desired temperature for their heating. Its correction occurs almost immediately, due to the small cross-section of the channels.
- The number of radiator sections for each specific room can be easily calculated independently using the mathematical formula that will be given below. Correct calculation will help to avoid extra costs when buying radiators, their installation and further operation.
Bimetallic heating radiators received wide use in private houses and apartments. They are characterized by extremely long service life and high pressure resistance. By installing such radiators in your apartment, you get at your disposal a reliable and durable source of warmth and comfort. What are the best radiators and how to choose them? You will learn about this from our review.
Bimetallic radiators - what is it
Over the years in heating systems ah, cast iron and steel heating batteries were used. They had certain advantages, but over time they were supplanted by modern aluminum and bimetallic radiators, which have high efficiency... Today, bimetallic models are the leader in terms of reliability. What are they?
Aluminum radiators are very sensitive to the pressure in the system, and will inevitably burst at high pressure.
Many people know about efficient and inexpensive aluminum batteries. Aluminum radiators are characterized by excellent heat dissipation, light weight and ease of installation. But they also have obvious disadvantages - this is the lack of resistance to corrosion, high pressure and water hammer. Aluminum deteriorates under the influence of aggressive heat carriers and bursts when the nominal pressure is exceeded. To solve the problem of the lack of stable radiators, bimetallic heating batteries were created.
The basis of bimetallic radiators is solid steel - the core is made from it... On top of this steel core is an aluminum “jacket” that is responsible for heat dissipation. The result is a kind of "sandwich" of two metals. Steel tolerates pressure surges and water shocks well, and under the influence of an aggressive coolant, it deteriorates rather weakly. This makes the battery very durable.
As for the aluminum "jacket", it does not come into contact with the coolant, so it is practically not in danger. As a result, the developers managed to create lightweight, durable and extremely durable heating batteries. What are the benefits of bimetallic batteries?
The bimetallic radiator consists of a robust steel core and an aluminum housing.
- Long service life - in the production of radiators, resistant and durable steel is used, which does not deteriorate under the influence of an aggressive coolant. As for aluminum, in a dry environment it is practically eternal;
- Resistance to high pressure and water hammer - all the same is responsible for this steel core... Battery manufacturers claim that their radiators can easily withstand pressure surges up to 50-60 atmospheres. Also, models began to appear on the market that are resistant to pressure up to 100 atmospheres (for a short time);
- Long service life - it reaches up to 25 years. But practice shows that this indicator is not limiting;
- High heat transfer is the key to the efficiency of the heating system. Bimetal radiators have a heat transfer of up to 200 W per section. This is a very high indicator, typical for steel and aluminum models - this is exactly what the developers were striving for when creating these batteries;
- Great appearance - bimetal batteries are extremely neat and compact. They are well suited for surface and concealed (under-panel) mounting. They can be installed both in the apartment and in the office - they fit perfectly into any interiors;
- Lack of inertia - bimetal batteries heat up in a matter of minutes. This is due to the low heat capacity of the metals used;
- Possibility of repair - if necessary, a failed section can be quickly replaced without changing the entire battery.
Thus, bimetallic radiators have absorbed only the best features of their predecessors... They have become indispensable when creating heating in multi-storey buildings, where there is a high pressure of the coolant. But they also have their disadvantages:
- High cost - the disadvantage is not very significant, since you have to pay for quality and reliability;
- Noisiness - this manifests itself over time and only on batteries of poor quality (when the manufacturer frankly "cheats", saving on the production of radiators). As a result of thermal expansion, the batteries begin to emit extraneous sounds.
On this the list can be completed, since bimetallic batteries do not have any special drawbacks - only solid advantages.
Where are bimetallic batteries used?
A frequent consequence of a water hammer in a heating system with low-quality or old radiators is a battery rupture.
Heating multi-storey buildings carried out by centralized heating systems. They are characterized by low quality of the coolant, high pressure and the presence of water hammer. Many high-rise buildings are still used steel radiators with good efficiency and high heat transfer. But their appearance is far from perfect. Therefore, apartment owners in multi-storey buildings often change batteries for bimetallic ones.
Bimetal radiators withstand high pressure well - some models can withstand up to 60, or even up to 100 atmospheres. That's why they are ideal for district heating systems... The resistance to water hammer arising in heating systems connected to central boiler rooms is also pleasing - other batteries literally burst, flooding apartments and personal belongings of residents.
Also, bimetallic batteries are used to heat large industrial, administrative and utility rooms connected to centralized boiler houses. They are also installed in private households, but this is not very profitable - there is no high pressure in autonomous heating systems, so buying bimetal batteries will be a waste of money.
For heating private houses, it is more profitable to purchase aluminum batteries heating - they have a more affordable price and work well with a good quality coolant.
Characteristics of bimetallic radiators
Technical characteristics of bimetallic radiators of the Italian company Global
- Coolant temperature - up to + 110-130 degrees;
- Thermal power - up to 205 watts per section;
- Internal volume of one section - from 0.15 to 0.4 liters;
- Working pressure - from 16 to 35 atm;
- Peak pressure - 50-100 atm;
- Section weight - 1.5-2 kg;
- Center distance - 350 or 500 mm.
Naturally, the characteristics may differ in one direction or another, depending on the manufacturer.
More detailed information about the technical characteristics of the selected bimetallic radiators you can get from the product passport.
Which bimetallic radiators are better
When choosing equipment for installing a heating system, you need to pay attention to radiators. They must be reliable, durable and of high quality. Bimetallic heating radiators - which are better and how to choose them? Focus on the following parameters:
- Heat transfer of one section;
- Manufacturer country;
- Trademark.
These are key parameters, so you need to pay special attention to them so as not to buy some short-lived nonsense. The price for one section for bimetallic radiators varies from 550 to 1000 rubles. Naturally, the stores have more expensive models... If the selected radiator turns out to be suspiciously cheap, it is better to refuse to buy it. The optimal price tag for today is 600-700 rubles per section.
Heat transfer selection
For more efficient heating of the room, use radiators with a higher heat dissipation.
The higher the heat transfer, the warmer it will be in the rooms - the simplest laws of physics work here. Cast iron batteries have low heat transfer, so they cannot release much heat into the atmosphere. If the temperature in the rooms seems low to you, try replacing the old cast-iron batteries with modern bimetallic ones. Thanks to its high heat dissipation, you will feel that the rooms will become much warmer.
The range of thermal power for bimetallic radiators is quite large - from 130 to 205 W per section. The more thermal power(heat dissipation), the warmer it is in the rooms with the same number of sections... We recommend choosing batteries with maximum heat transfer, because the heating system should be not only beautiful, but also compact - with powerful batteries you can reduce the number of sections. But you need to remember that you have to pay for high heat transfer, therefore such batteries are more expensive than their low-power counterparts.
If we do not take into account the most advanced and efficient bimetallic batteries, the average thermal power will be about 170-180 W per section.
Selection by country of origin
When choosing the best bimetallic heating batteries, you need to pay attention to the country of origin. Italy is the leader in quality. If you see Italian batteries in the store, you can safely count on them highest quality... Only German products can be compared with Italian products - in Germany there are many well-known and little renowned manufacturers... As for domestic manufacturers, they work under licenses of foreign brands, so their quality can be trusted.
Italian bimetallic radiators GLOBAL Style Plus
Nothing unambiguous can be said about Chinese manufacturers - that's why they are Chinese manufacturers. Something they do well, but something they do very badly. One batch of batteries can differ dramatically in quality from another. Somewhere they can save on the thickness of the metal, forgetting to correct the technical characteristics. And someone makes quite decent batteries, although they are somewhat inferior in quality to European products. That's why buying Chinese radiators is always associated with a certain risk.
For our part, we recommend buying bimetallic batteries from well-known manufacturers from Italy, Germany and Russia. However, if you come across radiators from the well-known Chinese manufacturer Grandini, then you can think about buying them - they are quite good in quality.
Selection by manufacturer
Which bimetallic batteries are better and which ones are worse? You can answer this way - if you buy batteries from an Italian brand Global, then you can't go wrong in your choice. This manufacturer produces a wide range of radiators, including bimetallic ones. The Style Plus 500 series has the highest heat transfer. The numerical index here indicates the center distance, and the heat transfer rate reaches 185 W per section. Other series are also on sale, differing in more affordable cost.
One of the best domestic firms producing bimetallic radiators is Rifar.
Domestic bimetallic radiators Rifar have good characteristics.... They are manufactured under license from the aforementioned Global brand and are characterized by high heat dissipation, reaching 205 W. The batteries are really great and their main advantage is their affordable cost. As a result, we get a product that is balanced in terms of characteristics and price.
It is impossible not to mention the products of such a famous Italian brand as Sira. These are durable and hardy radiators with good technical characteristics and low cost - the perfect balance for the products of the famous Italian manufacturer.
You can buy bimetallic heating radiators at any heating equipment store. They are not in short supply, so there will be no problems with the purchase. You only need to be afraid of Chinese radiators, as they can fail with quality.
Bimetal radiators - customer reviews
You already know which bimetallic batteries are better and which are worse. Now it remains for us to consider user reviews.
I have my own assembly team and we are engaged in the installation of heating systems. V apartment buildings we always use italian bimetallic batteries, renowned for their quality. Therefore, our customers are always satisfied - the batteries effectively heat the premises, and some of them even get hot from such batteries. Bimetal tolerates water hammer well, can work at high blood pressure... We almost never encountered breakdowns, since they are very rare. People order such batteries even for private houses, as they want the heating to work for a long time and without problems.
In our apartment there were old cast-iron radiators, which literally disfigured the rooms. Last summer we decided on overhaul all our den. At the same time, we changed the batteries - in the store we were advised to buy bimetallic radiators Rifar Monolith. They are very neat and flat, they do not spoil the interiors of the rooms. The craftsmen calculated the number of sections for us, as a result of which it turned out that the new batteries will turn out to be smaller in size than the old ones. Now we have an excellent renovation apartment with nice bimetallic radiators. In winter, it is very warm with them, so we are already planning to install the same radiators in our son's apartment - he has old steel batteries-dust collectors.
My husband and I bought an apartment, but instead of checking in, they decided to make repairs first, otherwise the repairs would go on the back burner. We have installed a new kitchen furniture, completely re-poured the floors. We also decided to upgrade the heating and install modern bimetallic radiators. The very first winter showed that the batteries heat well, but one of them showed a leak. It's good that they installed taps along with the radiators, so we didn't have to suffer with the repairs - they cut off the coolant supply, unscrewed it, and handed it over to the master. Here is such a vaunted Italian quality, although it is possible that we just got a defect - the rest of the batteries have been working for the fourth year already.
The bimetallic radiator is a simple and convenient system in the field of the latest developments in heating. Its design is both high-tech and rather primitive, and the assembly feature contributes to the achievement maximum effect in an increase in the room temperature.
The use of two different metals in the design of a bimetallic radiator, namely steel and aluminum, made it possible to combine all the positive qualities of both in it. All these achievements in the aggregate ensured high demand and popularity for bimetallic radiators.
For those who are still in thought or have doubts about these attitudes, for greater persuasiveness, an analysis of their advantages and disadvantages is given below. If you compare and contrast them, then you can come to a certain conclusion and finally stop doubting about the advisability of choosing a bimetallic radiator.
Scroll positive qualities bimetallic radiators.
- Maximum in heat transfer. This factor is due to the use of an aluminum shell in the design of the radiator. Aluminum is known to be an excellent heat conductor.
- Resistant to corrosive processes and coolant components. The anti-corrosion effect is achieved thanks to the inner steel shell of the radiator. Steel, on the other hand, is not very susceptible to the effects of chemical components.
- Good strength properties and, as a consequence, the ability to withstand high working pressure. All this has become achievable thanks to the use of steel, and as a metal it is capable of withstanding high mechanical loads.
- Small size and lightweight construction. Compactness and weight make bimetallic radiators aesthetic, easy to install and transport.
- Unlimited sectioning. The possibility of sectional disassembly, assembly of bimetallic radiators, allows you to vary the power of heat output in any required range.
- Attractive design view radiators. Aesthetics unusual for heating devices, in the case of bimetallic radiators, is reflected like nowhere and never. In terms of the interior of the room, such radiators do not spoil it, but even complement it.
As you can see, there are quite a lot of advantages for a relatively simple device, and all of them are important for operation. Then it was necessary to move on to the minuses, but they, as it were, do not exist. More precisely, there is a minus, but only it is one and its essence is the high cost of bimetallic radiators. Yes, they are more expensive than their counterparts made using other technologies and from other metals, but the indisputable advantage of the advantages of bimetallic radiators is probably worth it.
The quality and durability laid down by manufacturers in bimetallic radiators have already been appreciated by millions of consumers, and this fact reduces all doubts of the distrustful to naught. Do not hesitate, but try and heat your home with new bimetallic technologies.
