Quote:
Originally Posted by bob3dsf
Hey,
Just received my new radiator to swap into the rig. I noticed it has 2 "cuts" in the top and bottom aluminum frame.... A little searching found some info that they are not defects or damage, but relief cuts to allow for expansion and contraction with heating and cooling. Is this really a thing? It does make sense.
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Sounds like they are accounting for the Thermal expansion coefficient of the material. Using Aluminum as an example I usually have to increase part size by 3-5% when casting to ensure that my final part is within tolerances when cooled. The previous unit may have accounted for the expansion in another way: Looser fit in the frame, expansion slots in the mounting at one or both ends, etc...
This is similar to accommodations needed for woodworking with solid woods. The reason bread board ends and sliding dovetails can't be glued full width when interfacing grain endgrain to long grain is that as the wood shrinks and grows with humidity and temp changes the trapped wide boards will tear the piece apart.
Boort