Which bimetal heating radiators are better - sectional or monolithic, truly bimetallic or semi-metallic

Bimetal radiators - are installed without problems, give plenty of heat, and boast a beautiful design. In stores, bimetal heating radiators of various designs and technical characteristics are sold, but we’ll find out which ones are better in this article by analyzing their most important parameters and structural features.

What is the difference between bimetallic and semi-metallic radiators?

Bimetal

In real bimetal heating devices, only the outer part is made of aluminum. Radiators are manufactured as follows: pipes of the steel core are welded, and then they are filled with aluminum under pressure. As a result, the coolant is in contact only with steel, without touching aluminum surfaces. This saves the radiator from corrosion and gives it increased strength. Well, the figured body improves the performance of heat transfer.

They also make radiators, the core of which is made not of steel, but of copper. This is a real salvation for those autonomous heating systems where antifreeze is added to the water. After all, such a coolant will quickly destroy steel pipes.

Semi-metal

In a semi-bimetallic radiator, the core consists of two metals. Vertical channels in it are reinforced with steel elements, but horizontal channels are aluminum. Due to the increase in the amount of aluminum in the product, the heat transfer of the radiator increases. However, hot water with a high alkali content (in central heating), in contact with this aluminum, causes corrosion. And one more thing: different thermal expansion of aluminum and steel parts of the core can cause their displacement, leading to the instability of the radiator.

As a rule, bimetallic radiators are installed in apartments with a central heating system. In such systems, there are 2 big problems - this is high pressure with periodic surges and poor-quality coolant. Both that and another will have rather big negative impact on semi-bimetallic type radiators.

Therefore, since you have decided to install reliable heating devices, it is better to give preference to truly bimetallic radiators. Semimetal models of radiators can be found at companies such as: Sira, Rifar, Gordi. They differ significantly in price from bimetallic, but they are worth it.

Sectional or monolithic bimetal radiators

At first, bimetal products were always assembled from several sections. However, any sectional radiator can suffer from a coolant that damages the joints and reduces the life of the devices. In addition, joints are always a potentially dangerous place, which is more susceptible to leakage due to increased pressure in the system. Therefore, they came up with a new technology by which a solid steel or copper collector is made, and a shirt is made of aluminum over it. Such radiators are called monolithic.

The device section of the bimetallic radiator.

Now let's try to find out which bimetallic radiators are better - sectional or monolithic.In terms of technical characteristics, the advantage of the latter is obvious.

• Duration of work - up to 50 years (for sectional - up to 20-25 years).
• Working pressure - up to 100 bar (for sectional - up to 20-35 bar).
• Thermal power per section is 100-200 watts (on the same level as sectional models).

But the price of monolithic devices is slightly higher than sectional. The difference can be up to one fifth. And one more nuance: models with a solid core cannot be modified by removing the extra or adding additional sections, but at the same time they are available in various sizes both in height and in length. Therefore, it is not difficult to choose a radiator necessary in power.

If the apartment is located in a high-rise building, the height of which exceeds 16 floors, then we can assume that the pressure of the coolant will be significant, so in this case there is a need to give preference to monolithic models.

Which company is better bimetal radiators

Italy

Let's start with the Italian manufacturers. First of all, it is the company Sira, whose specialists invented bimetal radiators. You can also mention the Global Style and Radena brands. All these products have a price per section from 700 to 1500 rubles. Elegant and high-quality finish, interesting design, compactness and lightness - these are the radiators from Italy. Modern technologies allow them to work for at least 20 years. Specifications:

• Sectional thermal power - from 120 to 185 watts;
• hot water temperature limit - 110 degrees;
• working pressure - up to 35 bar.

Russia

Do not forget about domestic manufacturers. One of the most famous is Rifar. This is a company from the Orenburg region that produces thermal appliances with prices ranging from 500 to 900 rubles per section. Specifications:

• Sectional thermal power - from 100 to 200 watts;
• hot water temperature limit - 135 degrees;
• working pressure - up to 20 bar.

Note the patented radiator RIFAR MONOLIT, which is often called one of the best domestic appliances. It is tested at a pressure of 150 bar. Specifications:

• Sectional thermal power - from 134 to 196 watts;
• hot water temperature limit - 135 degrees;
• working pressure - up to 100 bar.

Other countries

Here you can note the radiators of the South Korean company MARS. Their core is not steel, but copper. Price - from 400 rubles per section. Declared specifications:

• The limit of hot water temperature is 130 degrees;
• working pressure - up to 20 bar;
• sectional heat transfer - 167 watts.

The Polish company REGULUS-system also produces bimetallic radiators with a copper core. The manufacturer guarantees 25 years of operation. Specifications:

• Working pressure - 15 bar;
• the limit of hot water temperature is 110 degrees.

Well, a few words should be said about Chinese manufacturers. Their radiators are significantly cheaper than well-known brands, as they do not shine with careful finish and beautiful design. In principle, if you have a very modest budget, you can take the "Chinese", given that he can withstand less pressure.

Table: Comparative characteristics of some manufacturers and models of bimetal radiators

Brand, country	Model	Distance between axles, mm	Dimensions H / W / D (sections)	Maksim. working pressure, bar.	Thermal Power, W	The volume of water in the section, l	Weight, kg	Max. tamper. heat carrier
Italy	STYLE 350 STYLE 500 STYLE PLUS 350 STYLE PLUS 500	350 500 350 500	425/80/80 575/80/80 425/80/95 575/80/95	35	125 168 140 185	0,16 0,2 0,17 0,19	1,56 1,97 1,5 1,94	110
Italy	BiLiner Inox 500 BiLiner 500	500	574/80/87	20	171	0,2	2,01	90
Germany	TENRAD 350 TENRAD 500	350 500	400/80/77 550/80/77	24	120 161	0,15 0,22	1,22 1,44	120
Russia	RIFAR Forza 350 RIFAR Forza 500 RIFAR MONOLIT 350 RIFAR MONOLIT 500	350 500 350 500	415/90/80 570/100/80 415/100/80 577/100/80	20 20 100 100	136 202 136 194	0,18 0,20 0,18 0,20	1,36 1,84 1,5 2,0	135
China	Gordi 350 Gordi 500	350 500	412/80/80 572/80/80	30	160 181	0,21 0,3	1,4 1,7	110
Italy	Gladiator 200 Gladiator 350 Gladiator 500	200 350 500	275/80/80 423/80/80	30	90 140 185	0,1 0,13 0,42	0,65 0,85 1,6	110