Characteristics of Antifreeze A-40
Features
Like other coolants of a similar composition (for example, antifreeze A-65), A-40 includes, in addition to ethylene glycol, various additives:
- Antifoam.
- Inhibiting corrosion processes.
- Color (blue dye is more often used, but red Tosol A-40 can also be found on sale).
In Soviet times, when the product was first synthesized, no one was involved in the registration of the name, therefore, in modern specialized retail outlets, you can find a sufficient number of similar brands produced by different manufacturers.
The physical characteristics of antifreeze, which fully comply with the technical requirements of GOST 28084-89 and TU 2422-022-51140047-00, are as follows:
- Crystallization start temperature, ºC, not less: -40.
- thermal stability, ºC, not less: +120.
- Density, kg / m3 -1100.
- pH indicator - 8,5 .... 9,5.
- Heat capacity at 0ºC, kJ / kg K - 3,19.
Most of the indicators described are determined by the concentration of ethylene glycol in the composition of Tosol A-40, its viscosity and the integral temperature of the coolant, which is set during engine operation. In particular, the dynamic viscosity of the product ranges from 9 cSt at 0ºC, up to 100 cSt at -40ºC. According to the given temperature range, it is possible to practically establish the quality of the purchased antifreeze.
How to check the quality of Antifreeze A-40?
For car owners, the coolant suitability test is easiest to perform at the following points:
- Density measurement: the more it differs from the standard value, the worse. A reduced density indicates that the product contains ethylene glycol, which is excessively diluted with water.
- Determination of the actual alkalinity pH of the solution: at its lower values, the anti-corrosion properties of the composition deteriorate significantly. This is especially bad for engine parts that are made of aluminum.
- According to the uniformity and intensity of the color: if it is light bluish, or, conversely, too dark, then the composition is most likely made a long time ago, and has lost a number of its useful qualities.
- Test for crystallization at low temperatures. If Antifreeze A-40 did not change its volume when freezing in the absence of air, then you have a good quality product;
- Thermal stability test, for which a certain amount of coolant is brought to a boil, after which it is left to boil over low heat for several minutes. At the same time, a sharp smell of ammonia should not be felt, and the liquid in the flask remains transparent, without releasing a precipitate at the bottom.
All of the above tests can be performed without the purchase of special instruments.
Price
At the price of Antifreeze brand A-40 or A-40M, you can establish not only the credibility of the manufacturer, but also the quality of the coolant. Large manufacturers pack antifreeze in containers of various capacities and produce the product in fairly large batches. Therefore, the price may be slightly lower than average (but not by much!). Random, non-specialized firms under the brand name "Tosol A-40" can produce the usual counterfeit - ethylene glycol diluted with water (or even cheaper but very toxic methylene glycol), to which a certain amount of food blue dyes is added. The price of such pseudotosol will be much lower.
Depending on the type of container, manufacturers and sales regions, the price of Antifreeze A-40 varies within the following limits:
- For containers 5 l - 360 ... 370 rubles.
- For containers 10 l - 700 ... 750 rubles.
- For containers 20 l - 1400 ... 1500 rubles.
When packing in 220 l steel barrels, product prices start at 15000 rubles.
