Discussion: Let's talk coolant

DEpointfive0

Mods, if you'd prefer this was somewhere else, feel free to move it; thank you


Let's talk about the science of antifreeze/coolant (TO MY KNOWLEDGE):
Radiator fluid gets beaten to death 6 ways from Sunday, but I would like to see what others' input is on the topic.


The goal of the radiator is to keep fluid temps DOWN, the goal of the fluid is to draw heat away from the block and a side "goal" is to keep pressure UP; It is the reason for higher pressure radiator caps; the higher the pressure, the higher the temperature of the fluid has to get to boil; the goal of that is to keep liquid as LIQUID.
That being said:

Let's accept some basic facts
"Straight water is the best coolant."
As soon as the fluid boils, the rapid expansion of liquid to gas will immediately overcome the pressure of the coolant cap, and the car will overheat almost immediately because steam SUCKS at drawing heat away from something.
Also, even though it is mainly sold as "antifreeze" the real purpose of coolant for MOST the population is to RAISE boiling point, lubricate the water pump, and prevent corrosion even if you use tap water. (Of course not for those who live in places where it freezes over)


So, water boils at 100 deg C, 212 deg F (at sea level)
In a pressurized system, assume 15 PSI, the BP (boiling point) is 120C/248F
In a normal 50:50 solution at 15PSI the BP is 129C/265F
Ethylene glycol (standard coolant's main ingredient) STARTS with a BP of 197C/387F; MUCH higher than any combination of coolant and water (let's assume something like 170C/338 since it's not 100% pure)


So the dilemma is that coolant isn't THE best at drawing heat away from the block, and its regarded as too thick to run straight; AND even the smallest amount of water dramatically lowers the BP of the solution. So what do you run as coolant?



Side option:
Evans Waterless Coolant; BP is at 190C/375F, it's lifetime, and supposedly 100% safe

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