Copper better than aluminum for new diesel standards

As governments around the world continue to pressure the makers of diesel engines and heavy-duty trucks to meet increasingly stringent emissions standards, the International Copper Assn.'s (ICA) CuproBraze technology is likely to play a key role in the design of temperature-resistant heat exchangers. According to ICA, most diesel engine manufacturers agree that clean diesel engines will require more

Tim Parry

May 10, 2002

According to ICA, most diesel engine manufacturers agree that clean diesel engines will require more complex turbochargers and heat exchangers than in the past. More heat at higher temperatures will need to be removed to gain control over the combustion processes.

The use of CuproBraze technology greatly changes the design parameters for charge air coolers (CACs) and turbochargers. A copper-brass CAC can withstand high inlet temperatures, retaining much of its strength and avoiding metal fatigue, ICA said.