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RADIATOR TESTING..

29th August 1918
Page 9
Page 9, 29th August 1918 — RADIATOR TESTING..
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A Description of Exhaustive Tests Under Excessive Vibration to Ensure Radiator Reliability.

Until the leak occurs, few motor vehicle users give any thought to the question of radiator construction or stop to reflect to what a high degree of perfection this branch of motor construction has been developed. A honeycomb-type radiator for a medium-sized vehicle is made up of not fewer than 4000 delicate tubes soldered together within a frame, each individual tube being as thin as possible in order to facilitate the radiation of heat.

While individually these tubes are so delicate that they can be crushed be. tween the fingers, when assembled they form a substantial block which probably will remain in service for years without the least defect developing. In order to assure this reliability, very thorough tests are necessary before the radiator is placed in position. on the

chassis. For .example, the Fiat Co.; who make their own • radiators, have a

very efficient system of testing. The finished radiator is completely submerged in a bath of water, after the filler orifice and the outlet have been

sealed and a flexible pipe has been connected up to the inlet. By means of this pipe an air pressure of 15 lb. to the sq. in.is sent through the radiator, and maintained for 10 or 12 minutes. If there we any defects these are immediately revealed by bubbles of air rising to the surface of the water. Some manufacturers are satisfied to plug the inlet and outlet, then fill with water through the filler cap, watching fnr possible leaks. This is not Ouch a satisfactory method, for a poorly-made radiator will hold water, but will develop defects when subjected to pressure.

Not satisfied with the pressure test, the Fiat engineers have devised a vibration test. The radiators are mounted on a special bench, and by means of a pump, boiling water is made to circulate through the tubes. At the same time the special bench is subjected to intense vibration by movement in a vertical direction, this movement being fmparted by an electric motor and suitable machine. The bench makes about 300 strokes a minute, and the test is carried out for half an houw This test gives a more severe shaking to the radiator than is experienced when the car is in low gear and the engine is running at maximom speed. Alt radiators that have passed this test without any signs of weakness becoming manifest, can he guaranteed to operate on the car without any trouble. Tubular radiators, which are made use of on.all Fiat commercial motor vehicles in preference to the honeycomb type, are tested in practically the same way.

The Fiat Co., since the outbreak of war, have built up A firm and mild fepitalon in respect of its productions for war-time needs, and this remark, in particular, applies to the thousands of lorries, both heavy and light, which have been turned out from the Turin works of the company, during the past four years. One little wonders, when there is borne in mind the rigid tests to which the various components which go to form the complete machine are subjected, that such sufficient and 'dependable service is secured.

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Locations: Turin

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