Cooling System Plastics Disintegrating

[mechanicx]

Originally Posted By: Steve S
Plastics best quality is to break.


I totally agree the real problem is plastics weaken. But tests have shown that various OAT coolants degrad and weaken various plastic parts overtime more than IAT coolants. If the compatibility is right plastics parts can last fairly long, but aluminum and steel almost always is more durable and fully resistant to being degraded by coolants.

 

[Gary Allan]

Outside ..ozone checking/oxidation ..embrittlement. Inside ..rapid heat cycling ..sustained time and pressure at temp. Add external torsion influences

 

[mechanicx]

Originally Posted By: Gary Allan
Outside ..ozone checking/oxidation ..embrittlement. Inside ..rapid heat cycling ..sustained time and pressure at temp. Add external torsion influences

These are almost incalculable extra problems/stresses plastic likely might encounter in service. Just laboratory tests with plastic parts submerged in hot coolant shows that some OATs and plastics don't get along that well, showing degrading and weakening.