Hydrophilic aluminum foil is a type of aluminum foil that has been specially treated with a hydrophilic coating on its surface. The purpose of this treatment is to enhance its affinity for water, thereby improving heat exchange performance.
Advantages of Hydrophilic Aluminum Foil
- 1. Improved Heat Exchange Efficiency: Hydrophilic aluminum foil can significantly increase the heat exchange area, allowing condensate to spread quickly rather than forming droplets. This characteristic can improve cooling efficiency, typically enhancing it by around 5%. Rapidly spreading moisture helps accelerate both cooling and heating speeds, thereby boosting the overall performance of the air conditioning system.
- 2. Noise Reduction: Because condensate does not form droplets, hydrophilic aluminum foil effectively prevents noise caused by water droplets obstructing airflow, thus enhancing user comfort.
- 3. Corrosion and Mold Resistance: Hydrophilic aluminum foil features excellent corrosion and mold resistance. This makes it less susceptible to damage from corrosion and mold during long-term use, extending the lifespan of air conditioning equipment, typically by 5 to 10 years.
- 4. Maintains Cleanliness: Since water droplets do not accumulate on the foil's surface, hydrophilic aluminum foil effectively prevents the buildup of droplets that can block heat exchangers, maintaining good heat exchange performance and eliminating odors.
Hydrophilic Aluminum Foil Specifications
| Alloy | 8011 8079 1100 |
| Width | 50-1500MM |
| Thickness | 0.01-0.2 |
| Colors | Blue, Golden, Black, Green, Rosy Red, etc. |
Popular Haomei Aluminum Hydrophilic Foil
8011 H16 Hydrophilic Aluminum Foil
8011 H16 hydrophilic aluminum foil is primarily used in refrigerant pipelines and the housings of outdoor units in air conditioning systems. This aluminum foil undergoes special treatment to impart excellent hydrophilic properties, effectively improving heat exchange efficiency.
Features:
- Superior Hydrophilic Performance: In air conditioning systems, 8011 H16 hydrophilic aluminum foil allows condensate to spread quickly, avoiding droplet accumulation and thereby enhancing the cooling effect of the system.
- Corrosion Resistance: With specialized hydrophilic treatment, this aluminum foil exhibits good corrosion resistance, maintaining stable performance in harsh environments.
- Durability: This foil maintains its performance even under high temperatures and humidity, making it suitable for long-term use in various air conditioning equipment.
1100/1200 O H11 Hydrophilic Aluminum Foil
1100/1200 O H11 hydrophilic aluminum foil is widely used in air conditioners, heat exchangers, evaporators, and other applications. Its excellent workability and corrosion resistance make it an ideal material for these devices.
Features:
- Excellent Workability: This aluminum foil is easy to process and shape, suitable for various manufacturing processes, and can meet the demands for complex shapes and sizes.
- Corrosion Resistance: The hydrophilic treatment provides superior corrosion resistance, effectively preventing corrosion caused by environmental factors.
- Stable Performance: It maintains stable performance over long-term use, ensuring the reliability and efficiency of the equipment.
Blue Hydrophilic Aluminum Foil
Blue hydrophilic aluminum foil features a special hydrophilic coating that provides excellent corrosion resistance, effectively preventing corrosion of air conditioning fins and heat exchangers during use.
Gold Hydrophilic Aluminum Foil
Gold hydrophilic aluminum foil is commonly used in high-end air conditioning equipment. Its gold coating not only adds aesthetic appeal but also offers outstanding corrosion resistance, significantly extending the lifespan of the equipment.
Gold hydrophilic aluminum foil maintains its appearance and performance over long-term use, making it suitable for applications requiring high durability.
Performance parameters of hydrophilic foil
| Coating thickness | 1.0~3.0μm (The average thickness of single side) |
| Hydrophilia | The initial hydrophilic angle≤5; Continuous hydrophilic angle≤25 |
| Adhesive force | Cupping Test (pressure deep 5mm): no flaking. Grid experiment (100/100): no delaminating. |
| Corrosion resistance | Salt fog test (72 Hours) R.N≥9.5 |
| Alkali resistance | With 20 degree centigrade, soak in the 20%NaOH with 3 Minutes, the sample coating layer totally no frothing. |
| Solvent resistance | Weight loss of Sample≤1% |
| Heat resistance | Under 200℃, keep for 5 minute, properties and the color remains the same; Under 300℃, keep for 5 minutes, coating layer just become light yellow. |
| Oil resistivity | In the volatile oil soaked for 24 hours, coating layer has no frothing |
Mechanical Properties of Aluminum Hydrophilic Foil
| Alloy | Temper | Indoor Mechanical Property | ||
| Tensile Strength | Elongation (%) | Cupping Test Value | ||
| 8011 | O | 80～100 | ≥20 | ≥6.0 |
| H22 | 100～135 | ≥16 | ≥5.5 | |
| H24 | 115～145 | ≥12 | ≥5.0 | |
| H26 | 125～160 | ≥8 | ≥4.0 | |
| H18 | ≥160 | ≥1 | - | |
Tolerances of Aluminum Hydrophilic Foi
| Thickness and thickness Tolerance(mm) | Width and Width Tolerance(mm) | ID(mm) | Max OD (mm) | ID Material |
| 0.095～0.50 (±0.005) | 50～1250 (±0.5) | ￠75, ￠150, ￠200 ￠300 ￠400 ￠500 | ￠≤1400 | Paper core, aluminium core |
Hydrophilic Foil Coating Performance
| No | Project Indicator | Technology Indicator | |
| 1 | Coating thickness | 1.0~3.0UM(The Average Thickness of Single Side) | |
| 2 | Hydrophilia | The Initial Hydrophilic Angle | The Initial Hydrophilic Angle ≤5 |
| 3 | Continuous Hydrophilic Angle | Continuous Hydrophilic Angle≤25 | |
| 4 | Adhesive Force | Cupping Test(pressure deep 5mm):No Flaking: Grid experiment(100/100):No Delaminating | |
| 5 | Corrosion Resistance | Salt fog test(72 Hours)R.N≥9.5 | |
| 6 | Alkali Resistance | With 20 degree centigrade , soak in the 20%NaOH with 3 Minutes, the sample coating layer totally no frothing | |
| 7 | Solvent Resistance | Weight loss of Sample≤1% | |
| 8 | Heat Resistance | Under 200 degrees Celsius, Keep for 5 minutes, Properties and the color remains the same;Under 300 degrees Celsius, Keep for 5 minutes, Coating layer just become light yellow. | |
| 9 | Oil Resistivity | In the volatile oil soaked for 24 hours, Coating layer has no frothing | |
| 10 | Coating Smell | No off-smell | |
| 11 | To the mold wear | Same as the ordinary aluminium foil | |
Applications of Hydrophilic Aluminum Foil
Hydrophilic aluminum foil plays a crucial role in modern refrigeration technology, particularly in the heat exchange fins of various air conditioning systems. Its applications span across home air conditioners, refrigerators, and automotive air conditioners.
1. Air Conditioning Heat Exchange Fins
- Improved Cooling and Heating Efficiency: Hydrophilic aluminum foil, with its special hydrophilic coating, allows condensation to spread rapidly on the fins' surface, avoiding water droplet accumulation. This increases the heat exchange area and speeds up cooling and heating, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency of the air conditioning system.
- Enhanced Durability: Its excellent anti-corrosion and anti-mold properties effectively prevent damage from moisture and corrosion in the environment, thus extending the lifespan of the air conditioning equipment.
2. Refrigerator Condenser and Evaporator Heat Exchange Fins
- Increased Cooling Efficiency: The high hydrophilicity of the aluminum foil ensures that condensation spreads quickly, preventing the reduction in heat exchange efficiency caused by water droplet accumulation, thus enhancing the cooling effect of the refrigerator.
- Frost Prevention: Since condensation does not form into ice beads, hydrophilic aluminum foil effectively prevents frost formation on condensers and evaporators, maintaining stable operation of the equipment.
3. Automotive Air Conditioning
In automotive air conditioning systems, hydrophilic aluminum foil is primarily used in the heat exchangers of vehicle air conditioning units.
- Enhanced Cooling Effect: The rapid spreading of condensation with hydrophilic aluminum foil can improve the cooling efficiency of the vehicle's air conditioning system, making the interior environment more comfortable.
- Increased Durability: Its anti-corrosion properties ensure that automotive air conditioners maintain stable performance in various driving conditions, such as humid or salt-laden environments.
Hydrophilic aluminum foil is a high-performance material that, due to its superior hydrophilicity and anti-corrosion characteristics, has become an indispensable component in modern air conditioning and refrigeration equipment. Its application in home air conditioners, refrigerators, and automotive air conditioners not only enhances the heat exchange efficiency but also improves durability and reliability, providing users with more efficient and long-lasting cooling solutions.
Processing of Hydrophilic Aluminum Foil
Hydrophilic aluminum foil is created by applying a hydrophilic coating to the surface of aluminum foil after it has been degreased, cleaned, and dried. The coating is typically 1-2 micrometers thick and can be either organic or inorganic. Inorganic hydrophilic coatings offer superior performance but are more expensive, while organic hydrophilic coatings are commonly used in air conditioning heat exchangers, with typical colors being blue or gold.
Related Questions About Aluminum Hydrophilic Foil
Why is aluminum foil hydrophilic?
Aluminum foil itself does not have inherent hydrophilicity, but it can be treated to acquire this property.
- Surface Treatment: Aluminum foil is subjected to degreasing, cleaning, and acid etching to remove surface oil and oxidation, making it more receptive to subsequent coatings.
- Application of Hydrophilic Coating: A hydrophilic coating (usually organic or inorganic) is applied to the aluminum foil surface, giving it hydrophilic properties. This coating attracts water and encourages rapid spreading of moisture rather than forming droplets.
What is hydrophilic aluminum?
Hydrophilic aluminum refers to aluminum materials that have been specially treated with a hydrophilic coating.
Characteristics of Hydrophilic Aluminum:
- Hydrophilic Coating: The surface is coated with a layer that forms hydrogen bonds with water molecules, allowing water to easily contact and spread across the aluminum surface.
- Corrosion Resistance: Hydrophilic aluminum typically has excellent anti-corrosion properties, protecting against corrosion in moist environments.
- Improved Heat Exchange: When used in heat exchangers, hydrophilic aluminum can enhance heat exchange efficiency because condensation does not pool into droplets, increasing the heat exchange area.
Does aluminum foil react with water?
Under normal conditions, aluminum foil does not undergo significant chemical reactions with water. However, under certain specific conditions, the reaction can occur as follows:
- Under Normal Conditions: At room temperature and pressure, aluminum foil does not directly react with water. The surface of aluminum typically forms a thin layer of aluminum oxide, which protects it from further corrosion by water or oxygen in the air.
- In Strongly Alkaline or Acidic Environments: In strongly alkaline (e.g., sodium hydroxide solution) or strongly acidic environments, aluminum foil may react with water. For example, in an alkaline environment, aluminum reacts with water to produce hydrogen gas and aluminum hydroxide.
Hydrophilic-treated aluminum foil does not directly react with water but utilizes its improved surface characteristics to enhance heat exchange efficiency and corrosion resistance.