Thread: Aluminum VS Brass Radiators

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You'll notice manufacturers started to switch from copper/brass to aluminum about 15 years ago, the same time OSHA started to really crack down on the use of flux in industrial applications for health reasons. I personally prefer copper because I can repair it with my torch and from thermodynamics, I know that copper has a much higher coefficient of heat transfer than aluminum. The smaller rows on an aluminum radiator might not be an advantage. The additional fin surface area may be required to match the heat trasnfer rates of a more efficient copper core.

I just bought a Modine radiator for my truck (~$140). It's a copper core and made in USA.