Corrosion Performance of Long-Life Automobile Radiators

Thirteen GM-Harrison vacuum-brazed aluminum radiators with 3005 and “long-life” K319 alloy tubes having roughly 10 years of field service in Buffalo or Florida were examined to determine whether K319 performed as predicted in improving resistance to airside corrosion. Some 3005-tube radiators, with supplemental chromate and paint protection, had multiple tube perforations (though they did not leak). Bare K319-tube radiators, however, were in generally excellent condition. The sacrificial protection mechanism inherent in the long-life alloy proved to be very effective in prolonging service life. The corrosion observed in these field samples correlated well with that found in radiators exposed to the SWAAT accelerated test, which is used to gauge the external corrosion resistance of radiator materials