2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42
Today, most motorists use antifreeze to cool their cars. On the shelves of gas station stores and workshops, a wide range of products is presented: antifreeze, silicate and carboxylate antifreeze. Coolants are produced by many manufacturers. To understand this abundance, to choose the right antifreeze that will not harm the engine and will not cause serious damage, this article will help.
About antifreeze
In order for the car engine to serve for a long time, it is necessary to adhere to the rules of operation. Overheating the motor not only reduces the resource, but can also lead to serious damage. To avoid this, various coolants are used. For a long time, the cooling element was water. But its operational features led to rapid corrosion, clogging of engine elements. Over time, scale and rust reduced the cooling efficiency. The temperature difference in various parts of the engine reduced the lifespan, and the head and blockcylinders could lead.
To combat this over 50 years ago, a new coolant was developed - antifreeze. The properties possessed by modern coolants, including carboxylate antifreeze, the ability to effectively transfer heat from the heating element to the radiator (cooler), withstand high temperatures without boiling, and not freeze in a wide range of low temperatures. Antifreeze has a long service life.
Carboxylate technology, characteristics and composition
With the use of carboxylate technology, antifreeze shows the best performance in terms of service life. The tool has the best thermophysical characteristics, among all types of coolants. Antifreeze is produced with the addition of additives from carboxylic acid s alts. The composition includes water with ethylene glycol, in a ratio of one to one, with the addition of a package of additives from a combination of s alts (carboxylates).
Dihydric alcohol or ethylene glycol boils at a temperature of +197 °C, and the freezing point is -13 °C. If alcohol is mixed with water, the freezing point of the liquid will be approximately 38 degrees below zero. Moreover, in a frozen state, the substance almost does not expand, unlike water, which serves as a guarantee of the integrity of the internal combustion engine. The boiling point of the finished substance is above 106 °C. In the motor, the system is sealed, and the liquid runs under pressure, respectively, the boiling point is even higher.
Getting rid of negative factors such as corrosion is achieved by adding carboxylates. In addition, in the compositioncarboxylate and silicate antifreeze add anti-foam, color elements. Anti-foam additives prevent the formation of bubbles for a closed circuit of the cooling system directly in the engine, which is not entirely relevant, since increased pressure and a closed circuit prevent cavitation. Also, carboxylic acid s alts greatly extend the life of antifreeze.
Manufacturers and dosage
The development of additives is a heavy science-intensive process associated with long-term research and research, costly testing with no guarantee of success. Such works were able to master the research centers and laboratories of large and rich companies with a worldwide reputation:
- German company BASF;
- Belgian manufacturer Arteco;
- Swiss industrial group Clariant;
- American manufacturer DOW Chemical.
The dosage and composition of "signature kits" is a trade secret. Antifreeze manufacturers buy ready-made superconcentrate in the form of additives, releasing products on this basis under their own brand. Many companies have tried to replicate the technology themselves based on available information, but have failed. It is impossible to guess the correct proportion of s alts and other secret components. Only the exact ratio and dosage of ingredients can multiply the corrosion resistance and service life.
Difference from silicate
What is differentcarboxylate antifreeze from silicate antifreeze is a topical issue that requires some clarification. To answer correctly, you need to know the characteristics of each product. Silicate antifreeze G11 - the original version of the coolant, the first generation. Produced on the basis of components that include monoethylene glycol and silicone additives. A film is formed on the inner walls of the cooling channels of the engine, covering the surface, which impairs heat transfer. Usually available in blue or green.
Carboxylate antifreeze G12 is the most popular and more advanced type of coolant. It was developed taking into account the shortcomings of the previous generation. Organic s alts (carboxylates) are used in the production process. Silicate compounds are not used. Carboxylate antifreeze G12 red.
At the moment, the coolant is the best in performance, price and quality. Benefits of carboxylate coolant:
- service life is 5 years, silicate 2 years;
- cooling channels do not need to be flushed after replacement, unlike silicate antifreeze;
- in modern powerful engines, carboxylate antifreeze removes heat better than silicate.
Features of use
Use with caution, as carboxylate red antifreeze is a toxic substance. During operation, it does not create enveloping films, the protective properties begin to function only at the moment of occurrence of focal rust. The resulting protective layer does not exceed a micron, which does not impair the main characteristics of heat transfer. During operation suspensions and deposits are not formed. It is produced with various shades of red, has no exact regulations. Does not require system flushing during repairs.
It is forbidden to mix different types of antifreeze. Additives of different types neutralize each other when reacting. Coolant loses its properties.
Popular carboxylate antifreezes
There are many coolant companies on the market. Each orients the product as the best carboxylate antifreeze. Motorists give the main preference to the following companies:
- German company BASF - produces antifreeze under the brand name Glythermin;
- Belgian company "Arteco", under TM Zitrec;
- known in Russia brand "Tosol-Sintez" - produces antifreeze, oils and auto chemicals;
- Swiss concern Clariant, under the Antifogen brand;
- Obninskorgsintez company, which has been producing antifreezes under the Sintec brand for more than 16 years;
- Liqui Mole products are also in great demand (German auto chemical manufacturer);
- American manufacturer DOV Chemical, under the brands Dowtherm, Ucartherm;
- Motul's antifreeze is one of the best in this segment;
- Japanese auto chemical manufacturer Totachi releases G12 antifreeze, is in constant demand.
List the list of manufacturersreleasing the product is not possible. The struggle for the customer forces the industry to constantly improve the product, delighting consumers with new useful features.
Fake antifreeze, negative consequences
The popularity of carboxylate antifreezes has not gone unnoticed by manufacturers of counterfeit products. Unfortunately, running into a fake product is easy. Famous brands are falsifying, releasing, at first glance, a completely original product, which contains carboxylate s alts. But in what proportions these components are present, whether the ingredients work correctly, the question remains open. As you know, there are only four manufacturers of the right additives in the world.
Others simply counterfeit by labeling elements that are not actually in the composition. Instead of organic components, mineral additives may be present in variations of borate and amine, nitrite and silicate s alts, or without them at all.
It is easy to imagine the consequences of such a bouquet. Several years of operation of the vehicle will lead to the formation of rust, the appearance of deposits of various kinds. Clogged cooling channels and radiator cells will invariably lead to engine overheating. The use of counterfeit gasoline or spare parts, just like a surrogate coolant, leads to breakdown.
What to look for when buying
In addition to branded manufacturers, antifreezes are produced by many companies thatbuy original additives. Without fail, they indicate this fact, thereby attracting the attention of the consumer. On product labels, place the logo of the company manufacturer. If there are no inscriptions, then this is a fake, or a surrogate. By purchasing such a product, you are taking a big risk.
Reviews
Over the years, since the creation of carboxylate antifreeze, motorists have been convinced of the reliability and durability of the product. They note that the price for this kind of coolers is quite acceptable. Attractive cost only contributes to popularity. Every year the characteristics of the product are constantly improving. Car owners claim that cars that use high-quality antifreeze operate reliably, engines do not overheat.
Recommended:
Additive SMT 2: customer reviews, composition, types and instructions for use
The automotive chemicals market is oversaturated with a variety of oil additives with useful properties. Some additives are designed to improve engine performance. others will clean the soot, others are able to cure small defects. One of the market offers is the SMT 2 additive. There are still very few reviews about it and car owners are not sure that this is not another Suprotec clone, the only effect of which is the placebo effect
LIQUI MOLY grease: manufacturer, dosage, characteristics, composition, features of use and reviews of motorists
High-performance operation of expensive modern equipment is ensured by special lubricants. The impossibility of using conventional oils in mechanisms causes the need for greases. Liqui Moly products provide efficient and long-term operation of the main mechanisms, protecting them from wear and friction
Car operation is Types, characteristics, categories, depreciation and fuel consumption calculations, features of work and technical use
Logistics of road transport is an important factor in technical operation systems and is a process of supplying automobile enterprises with rolling stock, units, spare parts, tires, batteries and materials necessary for their normal operation. Proper organization of logistics plays a crucial role in improving the use of vehicles by keeping them in good condition
"Hado" (additives): reviews of motorists. How to use additives "Hado"
Among the owners of various car brands, special substances called revitalizants are popular. Xado additives belonging to this category of products are in high demand. How to apply them, the advice of experienced experts will help you figure it out
Additive RiMET: description, composition and reviews of motorists
RiMET additives are a group of unique products, the main action of which is aimed at improving the basic characteristics of the car. Let us further consider the main features of the brand's advanced products, as well as their direct purpose