AC Outdoor Unit Aluminum Coil

Aluminum foil jumbo roll, while seemingly insignificant, is a critical material for ensuring heat dissipation efficiency, durability, and overall performance in air conditioner outdoor units. This is especially true in the core components of the outdoor unit's condenser and evaporator, where the choice of ac outdoor unit aluminum coil directly impacts the air conditioner's cooling and heating performance and lifespan.

Hydrophilic aluminum foil

Hydrophilic aluminum foil is one of the most widely used types of outdoor air conditioner foil, primarily used for the condenser's heat dissipation fins. Its core feature is a special hydrophilic coating, which offers two key advantages:

Anti-condensation and anti-fouling: During cooling operation, the condenser fins are cold, and moisture in the air easily condenses on their surfaces. Water droplets on ordinary aluminum foil form "water bridges," blocking the ventilation gaps between the fins and reducing heat dissipation efficiency. Hydrophilic aluminum foil, on the other hand, allows water droplets to quickly diffuse into a thin film, sliding down the fins, preventing accumulation. This also reduces dust adhesion and minimizes performance degradation caused by dust accumulation in the outdoor unit.

Corrosion resistance and extended lifespan: Outdoor units are exposed to rain, humidity fluctuations, and contaminants for extended periods. The hydrophilic coating not only prevents moisture from coming into direct contact with the aluminum foil substrate but also protects against corrosive substances like acid rain and dust, effectively slowing oxidation and rusting, thereby extending the condenser's service life by 3-5 years.

Currently, hydrophilic aluminum foil on the market is often coated with epoxy or acrylic resin systems. Some high-end products also contain antimicrobial ingredients to further reduce mold growth, making them particularly suitable for the humid and rainy southern regions.

Anti-corrosion aluminum foil

For air conditioner outdoor units installed in harsh environments such as coastal areas and industrial areas, the corrosion resistance of ordinary hydrophilic aluminum foil may not be sufficient to withstand high levels of salt spray and pollutants. In these situations, anti-corrosion aluminum foil becomes a more suitable option. Its key difference from ordinary hydrophilic aluminum foil lies in its "double protection design":

Upgraded base material: Some anti-corrosion aluminum foils utilize an aluminum alloy base material containing elements such as magnesium and silicon. This inherently resists corrosion better than pure aluminum and can prevent salt spray from penetrating the base material.

Coating Thickening and Modification: Based on the hydrophilic coating, anti-corrosion aluminum foil increases the coating thickness (typically from the standard 5-8μm to 10-15μm), or uses a fluorocarbon modified coating. Fluorocarbon coatings are extremely chemically stable, effectively isolating the aluminum foil from chloride ions (the main component of seaside salt spray) and sulfides (pollutants from industrial areas). Even in coastal environments, they can guarantee over five years of no significant corrosion.

However, the cost of anti-corrosion aluminum foil is 15%-20% higher than that of ordinary hydrophilic aluminum foil. Therefore, it is more suitable for applications with specific corrosion protection requirements, rather than a "standard" option for ordinary home environments.

Low-Drag Aluminum Foil

In addition to its anti-corrosion and hydrophilic properties, the structural design of the aluminum foil also affects the heat dissipation efficiency of the outdoor unit. Low-drag aluminum foil is a special type that uses an optimized structure to reduce ventilation resistance and improve heat exchange. Its core design highlights lie in the fin shape:

Optimized fin profiles: While standard aluminum foil fins are mostly straight or simply corrugated, low-drag aluminum foil features "louvered," "serrated," or "wavy" fins. These profiles allow air to flow more smoothly between the fins, reducing eddies (which increase air resistance and reduce airflow). They also increase the contact area between the air and the fins, improving heat transfer efficiency.

Precise fin spacing control: Low-drag aluminum foil precisely adjusts the fin spacing (typically between 1.8-2.2mm) based on the airflow and speed of the outdoor unit's fan, avoiding excessive air resistance due to too small a spacing or insufficient heat transfer area due to too large a spacing.

Data shows that condensers using low-drag aluminum foil can improve heat dissipation efficiency by 8%-12% compared to standard aluminum foil, indirectly reducing air conditioning energy consumption. This makes it particularly suitable for energy-conscious inverter outdoor units. Welcome to inquire different types of aluminium foil from us directly.