Aluminum Hourglass Tube

Henan Chalco supplies Aluminum Hourglass Tube for radiator and heat exchanger cores. Options include Ordinary, Dimple, Free-End, and two-channel / three-channel configurations to meet different core designs and replacement sourcing requirements.

The tubes can be produced using an HF welded process. W×H×T, material construction, dimple area, and end configuration can be confirmed according to the drawing.

For either new project development or second-source sourcing, customers can send a tube cross-section drawing and key specifications. Henan Chalco can help match existing profiles and review custom solutions.

Aluminum hourglass tube options

Henan Chalco offers multiple Aluminum Hourglass Tube configurations to match different radiator and heat exchanger core designs.

Available products include Ordinary, Dimple, Free-End, and two-channel / three-channel configurations.

Customers can first select the tube type based on the tube profile, internal channels, and end configuration, and then confirm the final specification against the required dimensions and drawing.

Ordinary hourglass tube

The basic Aluminum Hourglass Tube uses a basic hourglass cross-section without additional dimple or free-end requirements.

Suitable for radiator and heat exchanger tube projects using a conventional hourglass profile.

Dimple hourglass tube

Dimple Hourglass Tube incorporates a specified dimple structure into the hourglass profile.

Suitable for heat exchanger core designs where the drawing specifies the dimple position and formed area.

The dimple pattern can be confirmed according to the specific product structure.

Free-end hourglass tube

Free-End Hourglass Tube leaves a specified free-end zone at the tube end to match the corresponding tube-end design.

Existing products include a 5–6 mm free-end specification. Other end requirements can be confirmed according to the project drawing.

Two-channel hourglass tube

Two-Channel Dimple Hourglass Tube uses a cross-section with two internal channels.

Suitable for radiator or heat exchanger tubes where the design specifically requires a two-channel profile.

Three-channel hourglass tube

Three-Channel Dimple Hourglass Tube uses a cross-section with three internal channels.

Compared with the two-channel structure, the main difference is the internal channel configuration, making it suitable for heat exchanger designs that use a three-channel cross-section.

The table below provides an initial selection reference to help you quickly identify the suitable Aluminum Hourglass Tube type based on the tube profile, internal channels, and end configuration.

Henan Chalco can further confirm whether an existing profile is suitable or whether customization to the drawing is required.

Current dimple hourglass tube sizes

Henan Chalco can confirm the dimensions and configuration of Aluminum Hourglass Tube based on existing specifications or the customer drawing.

These are current supply size examples. Other dimensions and profile configurations can be reviewed according to the customer's cross-section drawing and project requirements.

Materials and clad alloy options

Henan Chalco can match Aluminum Hourglass Tube to the material specifications of radiator and heat exchanger projects.

Currently confirmed common material constructions include 4343/3003/4343 and 4343/3005/4343. The material thickness for the related product group is 0.22–0.5 mm.

Aluminum hourglass tubes for radiator and heat exchanger cores

Henan Chalco supplies Aluminum Hourglass Tube for radiator and heat exchanger cores, covering heavy-duty vehicle, engineering machinery, and automotive thermal management applications.

Depending on the core design, Ordinary, Dimple, Free-End, and two-channel / three-channel configurations are available.

Heavy truck radiator cores

Aluminum Hourglass Tube can be used in heavy truck radiators and related cooling heat exchanger cores.

For heavy-duty vehicle projects, Dimple, multi-channel, and different clad material configurations can be matched to the core structure to support existing specification replacement or new project development.

Off-road and engineering machinery heat exchangers

Aluminum Hourglass Tube is also suitable for off-road vehicle and engineering machinery heat exchangers.

Because core structures and application platforms vary considerably for this type of equipment, the appropriate channel configuration, free-end design, and tube profile can be selected according to the specific radiator design.

Automotive radiator and heater cores

HF welded Aluminum Hourglass Tube can be used in automotive radiator and heater core systems.

For different vehicle models and core designs, Ordinary, Dimple, or Free-End configurations can be selected according to the existing tube specification, and the existing profile or a custom configuration can be reviewed.

Match the tube to your core design

The final tube specification for each application should be based on the actual core drawing, header geometry, cross-section, and material requirements.

Henan Chalco can perform profile matching and custom review based on existing specifications or project drawings.

How to select the right hourglass tube configuration

When selecting an Aluminum Hourglass Tube, W×H×T should not be the only comparison. The number of internal channels, dimple area, and tube-end configuration also need to match the existing tube drawing and heat exchanger core design.

The selection table below can help you quickly identify a suitable configuration.

Two-channel or three-channel?

The main difference between two-channel and three-channel tubes is the internal cross-section configuration.

Selection should be based on the customer's existing tube profile and core design rather than simply on the number of channels.

Dimple or ordinary hourglass tube?

If the original drawing specifies dimples, the dimple position, area, and end configuration should be confirmed in detail.

If the current product uses an ordinary hourglass profile, switching directly to a Dimple Hourglass Tube without a design basis is not recommended.

Henan Chalco can match the product configuration and arrange supply according to the existing drawing.

Free-end or full formed design?

If a dimple-free area is required at the tube end, a Free-End Hourglass Tube can be selected.

Existing products include a 5–6 mm free-end design, but the specific length should follow the project drawing.

If the formed or dimpled area needs to extend continuously to the tube end, this should also be specified in the drawing.

The two end configurations should not be considered interchangeable based only on external dimensions.

Can a b-type tube replace an hourglass tube?

B-Type Tube and Hourglass Tube should not be assumed to be direct replacements.

They are different radiator tube structures. For replacement or second-source sourcing, the cross-section, W×H×T, internal structure, dimple requirement, and tube-end geometry should be compared carefully.

If you already have the current tube drawing, Henan Chalco can first perform profile matching and then confirm whether an existing specification is suitable or further customization is required.

HF welded production and quality control

Henan Chalco controls the critical features of Aluminum Hourglass Tube through HF welded forming, profile control, and inspection.

For standard specifications and custom profiles, production confirmation focuses on the cross-section, dimensions, internal channels, dimple area, and free-end structure. Final requirements are based on the customer drawing and purchasing specification.

HF welded tube forming

Aluminum strip is continuously formed and high-frequency welded to produce the required tube profile.

For a custom Aluminum Hourglass Tube, the following items are confirmed before production:

• tube cross-section;
• W×H×T;
• two-channel / three-channel configuration;
• dimple pattern and formed area;
• free-end structure;
• alloy / clad construction.

Existing specifications can shorten the initial matching process, but whether a special cross-section can use existing tooling still needs to be confirmed against the customer drawing.

Profile and dimensional control

For Hourglass Tube, quality control covers not only the external width and height but also cross-section features such as internal channels, dimple position, and free-end geometry.

We have vision measurement and optical profile inspection capabilities for checking critical dimensions and product profiles. Specific tolerances, inspection items, and acceptance criteria are confirmed according to the customer drawing and order requirements.

Vision Measurement Machine

Optical Profile Projector

Inspection according to order requirements

Inspection items can be arranged according to the project and purchasing specifications, including:

Eddy-current detection

Burst test

Metallographic inspection

Specific inspection items, sampling requirements, and acceptance criteria are confirmed with the order to meet the quality requirements of different radiator and heat exchanger projects.

Aluminum hourglass tube FAQ

Is aluminum sandglass tube the same as aluminum hourglass tube?

Sandglass Tube, Hourglass Tube, and Hour Glass Tube may all be used to describe this type of aluminum heat exchanger tube with an hourglass-shaped cross-section.

For purchasing, the cross-section drawing and actual dimensions should be used as the final basis for confirmation rather than relying only on the product name.

What is a free-end hourglass tube?

A Free-End hourglass tube leaves a specified dimple-free or partially unformed area at the tube end to match the corresponding tube-end design.

Existing products include a 5–6 mm free-end design. Other free-end lengths can be confirmed according to the project drawing.

Are the listed hourglass tube sizes standard sizes?

No. The W×H×T values listed on this page are examples of current supply sizes, not standardized dimensions that all Aluminum Hourglass Tubes must follow.

If the existing specifications do not match directly, Henan Chalco can review other dimensions and profiles based on the customer's cross-section drawing.

Can aluminum hourglass tubes be customized to drawing?

Yes. Henan Chalco can review custom Aluminum Hourglass Tube requirements based on the customer's tube cross-section drawing.

Customization can include W×H×T, channel configuration, dimple area, free-end design, material construction, dimensional tolerances, and other specified requirements.

Send your aluminum hourglass tube drawing

Send your tube cross-section, W×H×T, material/clad construction and order quantity.

Henan Chalco can review existing profiles and custom requirements for quotation.