Aloha, fun & authoritative answers -- no cost, no passwords, no popups
(as an eBay Partner & Amazon Affiliate we earn from qualifying purchases)

Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

-----

Stainless steel vs. aluminized steel for heat exchangers

I am presently investigating high efficiency gas furnaces and would appreciate an answer to my question: Which material is better as the heat exchanger - aluminized steel or stainless steel?

Jack Holowatch
- Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
2003

Depends on what parameter(s) you use for "better".

Aluminised steel has higher thermal conductivity than most stainless steels which might be "better" in a heat exchanger, but it also has lower corrosion resistance which might be "worse". Then there are dozens of different stainless steels which have different corrosion-resistance characteristics as well as different thermal conductivities.

Depending on actual temperatures and atmospheres, heat-resistance might be important. That could be heat-resistance as in resistance to surface scaling through oxidation, or heat-resistance as in resistance to degradation of mechanical properties through metallurgical phase changes.

Mechanical properties would also be relevant if you are looking at high gas velocities.

Bill Reynolds [deceased]
consultant metallurgist - Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
We sadly relate the news that Bill passed away on Jan. 29, 2010.
2003

(No "dead threads" here! If this page isn't currently on the Hotline your Q, A, or Comment will restore it)

Q, A, or Comment on THIS thread -or- Start a NEW Thread

Disclaimer: It's not possible to fully diagnose a finishing problem or the hazards of an operation via these pages. All information presented is for general reference and does not represent a professional opinion nor the policy of an author's employer. The internet is largely anonymous & unvetted; some names may be fictitious and some recommendations might be harmful.

If you are seeking a product or service related to metal finishing, please check these Directories: