Why Choose Plastic Radiators for Cars? Is it Beneficial?

Cars have to be lightweight and efficient for long-term performance. Their speed and power generation require complete support from their engines. Since engines require protection from overheating for continuous movement, radiators do their job to keep the vehicle’s temperature within limits. A radiator is like a safety device that saves drivers from getting stranded with an overheated engine in the middle of their trip. This is how essential radiators are. Since plastic and metal have a certain level of competition in auto parts, people often consider using plastic radiators due to their lower cost. The question that comes to their minds is about the low heat resistance and fragility of the plastic surface against massive shocks. 

What Are Plastic Radiator Tanks?

Aluminum cores and plastic tanks are typically used to make auto radiator plastic tanks. For better thermal conductivity, metal is still used for the core where heat exchange takes place. But the coolant tanks are made from high strength plastic materials such as nylon reinforced plastic. This hybrid construction achieves a balance between performance, cost and weight which is why plastic radiators have become the preference of many car manufacturers over full metal ones.

Benefits Of Auto Radiator Plastic Tanks

If you look closely, there are different types of radiators that are available in the industry. Some are known for their heavy-duty performance against heat, UV rays, and pressure. It shows that plastic radiators are made from a tough and durable type of plastic. If you still have doubts, here are the pros of choosing plastic radiators for your car. 

Lightweight Body

The first feature that makes plastic radiators better for some drivers is their lightweight bodies. Since the weight factor significantly contributes to a car's performance, plastic radiators are beneficial in this regard. These lightweight radiators hold the water firmly without adding extra weight. The car’s mileage average remains stable because of this benefit. You might think that plastic can’t survive long enough due to its lightweight structure, but it can last for several years. It will help users recover the price in a reasonable amount of time.

Low Cost of Production 

Plastic is cheaper than metal, which makes plastic tanks more affordable. Comparing them to metal radiators shows a significant difference in their prices. Plastic radiators are cheaper due to their low production cost. Hence, they are more affordable and also available everywhere. However, durability is lower than that of metal, but their low cost makes them less expensive in the replacement process. Since plastic has a weakness, which is heat, you can imagine the aftermath. However, hard plastic is used that has long-lasting resistance against mild heat. People who live in cold regions might like plastic radiators because the heat factor will not bother them.

Their Repair Kit is Easily Available

The repair kit requires a few plastic patches and an epoxy tube. This readily available kit helps users deal with minor holes in the plastic radiator. They don’t have to buy new radiators because of this affordable solution. Repairing radiator tanks is easy because anyone can do it. As compared to metal, you don’t need to weld it. You only need epoxy tubes for radiators to mix and make a solution. Then, apply that solution to the crack or hole in the plastic radiator. Dry that area by leaving it for some hours. Once it dries up, you can drive your car again as usual. 

Maintenance is Often User-Friendly 

The same is with maintenance, where you don’t have to do much. Plastic radiators require minimal maintenance. All you have to do is inspect any signs of wear and tear on them. If there are some, you can use epoxy to repair them. If the situation is dire, replace your radiator with a new one. It will be an affordable and swift repair as compared to other types of radiator maintenance. 

No Need to Worry About Corrosion

The biggest advantage plastic radiators have is their anti-corrosion body. Plastic is a natural anti-corrosion material, which is why water and coolant do not cause any problems with it. You will find no rust or corrosion inside the radiator tank. Thus, the coolant remains clean, and the water inside the radiator also remains clear. You will not find a rusty color when you add more water to the radiator. However, some metal parts are still used in plastic radiators, which can cause rusting. The good thing is that you can prevent massive corrosion by choosing a plastic radiator.

Low-Cost Replacement

The replacement process is as budget-friendly as maintenance. Plastic radiators are cheaper options, which makes their replacement process affordable for most drivers. If you explore the market, you can find many low-cost radiators of good quality. It means you can replace your old radiator at a very low price. Sometimes, it is better to replace the entire radiator than to repair it. It is because of the price difference between plastic and metal radiators. Low-cost replacement is a significant factor that keeps plastic radiators at the top of the priority list for many drivers.

Conclusion

Besides all these benefits of installing plastic radiators, you will find some challenges with them. These challenges are related to the low resistance of plastic radiators against heat and shocks. Therefore, plastic radiators have much less durability than metal ones. Overall, plastic is a good choice in modern cars that have lightweight features.