Many users have encountered radiator leakage after around three years of operation and are confused about the root causes. Combining radiator manufacturing processes, this article sorts out three types of production defects that easily lead to leakage. It analyzes the triggers from the production perspective and helps you identify hidden risks during product selection.

Inadequate substrate treatment creates hidden risks of internal corrosion. If the rust removal and degreasing procedures for incoming substrates are simplified, impurities will remain on the pipe wall. With continuous circulating heating medium, corrosion spots gradually form on the inner wall. As corrosion progresses, the pipe wall thins, which eventually results in seepage or perforation leakage.

Loose control over welding procedures makes welds vulnerable points. Radiators are formed by welding. Insufficient weld penetration, pinholes, cold solder joints, and defects missed during pressure testing will gradually expand under alternating hot and cold conditions and fluctuating water pressure after commissioning. Leakage at welds often occurs approximately three years later.

Non-standard application of coating and internal anti-corrosion layers is another trigger for leakage. The internal coating isolates the heating medium from metal substrates. Uneven mixing, insufficient thickness or inadequate curing of the coating tends to cause pinholes and peeling. The heating medium penetrates gaps in the coating and corrodes the substrate. Continuous corrosion will eventually lead to leakage, a common cause of medium-term seepage.

Radiator leakage is often not simply caused by improper use, but by accumulated defects in production processes. Three procedures — substrate treatment, welding and internal anti-corrosion — determine the long-term operational stability of radiators. When selecting radiators, you may focus on the quality control standards of these procedures to reduce the risk of leakage during service.

Q&A

Q: Do all radiators leak after three years? A: No. Products manufactured with full standard procedures and qualified pressure testing can operate stably for a much longer period. Leakage is mostly caused by accumulated process defects.