Aluminum HX (tube in shell) vs stainless?

[AshleyMckendree]

Besides corrosion, what would be the drawback of an aluminum HX vs a stainless?

alum is WAY cheaper, and it's easier for me to weld (AC TIG)
it also transfers heat 50% better.

 

[Lee Stockwell]

Pressure limitations. Used a lot for radiators (water to air) where the fluid side is coolant with corrosion inhibitors. Plain water or water with alkaline chemicals would greatly shorten the life. However post blower HX cores are sometimes aluminum.

 

[spotman123]

If you are running your engine exhaust thru the HX it may be too hot for it. I had one where the hot engine exhaust did melt the aluminum fins but not the tubing. The manufacturer replaced the aluminum find with copper ones.

 

[AshleyMckendree]

This will be schedule 80 pipe, engine exhaust will be running through it


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Shane T]

You really don't want the shell to transfer heat anyway, keeping as much heat inside to optimize heat to the core.