
Copper radiator or an aluminum radiator for my over-the-road heavy-duty truck? Copper transfers heat better than aluminum. But aluminum is cheaper. Copper radiators are easier to repair. But aluminum weighs less. The debate continues. It’s generally agreed that copper fin, brass tube radiators last longer than aluminum radiators, especially in heavy-duty, over the road truck applications.
It’s also generally agreed that a copper brass radiator can be more easily disassembled, repaired, cleaned and reassembled than an aluminum radiator and that aluminum radiators with crimp-on plastic tanks are less amenable to repairs and their life expectancy is less than that of a copper brass heavy-duty truck radiator.