Panel radiators are stamped steel sheets with a thickness of not less than 1.25 mm. The sheets are connected by welding, and channels are formed between them for the passage of the fluid, the heat carrier.
The vertical channels are connected to two horizontal collectors in the upper and lower part of the body. One, two or three panels can be connected in one radiator, whereby one-panel, two-panel and three-panel radiators are obtained.
The specifics in the construction and design of steel panel radiators allow to avoid excessive accumulation of dust. This makes them very suitable for office and residential premises, as they can be painted in different colors according to the design. Single-panel steel radiators are especially applicable in medical institutions or rooms with increased hygiene requirements for radiators.
The main advantages of steel panel radiators are the high specific heat dissipation of 1 kg of metal, the small volume of the body, and respectively the small volume occupied by the room, the good technology, which determines their lower price.
Among their disadvantages are the low corrosion resistance, as one of their most vulnerable places is the area of the solder. With a high air content in the coolant, the panel is also highly at risk of corrosion. Also, there is a danger of the formation of airbags, which prevent the complete heating of the radiator. This leads to a reduction in the power of the radiator due to the difficult circulation of the coolant. Their installation is more complex and requires more qualified personnel.