Drawn Light Wall Aluminum Tubing for Automotive Heat Exchangers Comes of Age in the USA

This paper traces historical developments and related progressive improvements for drawn light wall aluminum tubing applications in automotive radiator and heating systems since its inception in 1974/75 in Europe to its current status in the U.S. car industry and its projected growth rate until 1987.

The paper discusses the influence on tube design engineering and associated mechanical and metallurgical considerations with reference to heat load factors caused by the impact of such changes as, for example, body size of the American automobile, aerodynamic (drag coefficient styling, type/size/performance of engines, etc.).