Energy costs are one of the biggest topics in the UK at the moment. It is shining a light on the importance of using appliances effectively and not wasting electricity and gas. It is also important to choose the best products, especially boilers. The right materials here can have a big impact on performance and efficiency. As a top provider of aluminium bar and plate, including Grade 5251, we want to take a closer look at this.
The heat exchanger
One of the most important parts in a boiler is the heat exchanger. This part has the task of absorbing heat, usually from the combustion, and then using it to warm up water that flows through the element. Without heat exchangers, the appliance would not work.
People use a lot of different materials to create heat exchangers for boilers. Copper is a common choice because it has good thermal conductivity and corrosion resistance. Stainless steel is also a popular material for the same reasons. Some people even use titanium and nickel.
One of the very best options here though is aluminium. Leading boiler manufacturers like Ideal choose it because of the advantages over stainless steel in particular. Many of their award winning models have aluminium heat exchangers.
Why use aluminium?
As a leading supplier of aluminium bar and plate, from Grade 5251 to 7075, we understand why they are such great materials. We want to take a closer look at some of the things that make it the best metal for heat exchangers.
Thermal conductivity
This is by far the most important characteristic. The last thing you want is a metal that does not conduct heat very well because it will take a long time to warm up. That means using more fuel and incurs higher costs. Ideally you want a metal that heats up quickly and can efficiently pass on the heat to the water.
Aluminium is ideal here. It is one of the most conductive metals, typically only beaten by copper. As a result, it can warm up quickly and heat water effectively. It can save you money on operating costs. The high conductivity also means you can reduce the size of the heat exchanger and the boiler as a whole.
Corrosion resistance
Another essential characteristic for heat exchangers is the ability to resist corrosion. These parts have to deal with heat and oxygen on one side and water on the other. It is a dangerous mix that could cause many metals to corrode. That can harm performance and means a risk of boiler failure.
With that in mind manufacturers choose metals that have high corrosion resistance. Aluminium is a really good choice here because it naturally gains a passivation layer. This gives the metal the ability to withstand the corrosive effects of the condensate in the boiler.
Lightweight
Aluminium is also known for being light, especially if you compare to stainless steel. The weight savings are great news for boilers. It makes them easier to transport, handle, and install. If you plan to mount the appliance on a wall, the lower weight will put a smaller load on the surface. So, whether you choose aluminium bar and plate, grade 5251 or any other, you can save on the weight.
Cost
The cost is one of the most important things people look at when they consider appliances like boilers. Models that feature aluminium heat exchangers can be less expensive. This is because the metal is cheaper to obtain thanks to it being so abundant in the world. It is also less energy intensive to manufacture parts, especially if you compare with stainless steel.
Noise
A final interesting advantage is boilers with aluminium heat exchangers can be quieter. As we said above, the metal has excellent thermal conductivity. So, the waterways in a boiler can be shorter and wider. What this means is a high volume of water can flow through with minimal obstruction. The flow velocity can therefore be slower. Ultimately it can mean the boiler generates less noise when you are using it.
Talk to us about aluminium bar and plate in grade 5251 and more
Brindley Metals is a fantastic company to work with. Our aim is to offer unbeatable quality in terms of the materials we supply and the level of service we provide. The customer is at the heart of everything we do here. That is why we have such a happy client base.
If you ever need aluminium bar and plate, including grade 5251 and many others, you can shop with us. We have bars from 3mm to 510mm in diameter and plates from 8mm to 300mm in thickness. So, get in touch to tell us what you need.