Antifreeze is a liquid that is added to the radiator of a cars engine to help regulate its temperature. It is usually made from either ethylene glycol or propylene glycol. Here are some of the main uses of antifreeze:
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Preventing freezing: Antifreeze prevents the water in the engine's cooling system from freezing during cold weather by lowering the freezing point of the water. This is important because if the water in the engine freezes, it can cause serious damage to the engine.
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Preventing overheating: In hot weather, antifreeze helps to prevent the water in the engine from boiling over by raising the boiling point of the water. This helps to maintain an even temperature throughout the engine block.
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Lubrication: Antifreeze acts as a lubricant in the engine, ensuring that various parts, such as the water pump, move smoothly and reducing friction that can cause damage to the engine.
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Preventing corrosion: Antifreeze contains additives, such as silicates, nitrates, azoles, or borates, that prevent oxidation and corrosion of the engine's metal parts.
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Heat transfer: Water has good properties as a coolant, so water plus antifreeze is used in internal combustion engines and other heat transfer applications, such as HVAC chillers and solar water heaters. Antifreeze enables a wide temperature range in which the mixture remains in the liquid phase, which is critical to efficient heat transfer and the proper functioning of heat exchangers.
It's important to note that different vehicles require different types of antifreeze, so it's important to check which is suitable for your vehicle before using it.
