The structure of the finned tube radiator has many forms, but the structural unit is basically the same, and is composed of fins, partitions, sealing strips and guide sheets, which is a fin on a metal plate (the so-called secondary heat transfer area), and then a metal plate is placed on it, and the two sides are sealed with edge sealing strips to form a basic unit, and the upper and lower two metal plates are called partitions. By many basic units composed of plate fin type finned tube radiator core. The hot and cold fluids flow in the flow channels of the adjacent basic units and are exchanged through the fins and the partitions that are integrated with the fins. The individual channels are stacked and arranged in different ways and brazed into a whole to obtain the most commonly used counterflow, staggered flow, and staggered counterflow plate finned radiator bundles. In addition to the main task of heat transfer, the fins also play a strengthening role between the two bulkheads. So although the fins and bulkhead materials are very thin, but its strength is very high, so it can withstand higher pressure.

For the general heat exchanger, plate fin finned tube radiator has the following advantages: high heat transfer efficiency; compact structure; light and strong; adaptable; good economy. However, this heat exchanger fin spacing is small, easy to clog, and clogging is not easy to clean, making the resistance greatly increased, if not to its descaling, will affect the safe and stable operation of the system.

Plate finned radiator in the compressor is mainly used in the oil cooler and compressed air cooler, air-cooled and water-cooled two forms. Whether air-cooled or water-cooled coolers, high temperature compressed air in the cooling process will have condensate precipitation, and gather on the fins to form a "water bridge", preventing the flow of air, thereby increasing air pressure, and leading to a decrease in heat exchange efficiency, air conditioning in the plate finned tube radiator also exists in a similar situation. Although aluminum and its alloys have good corrosion resistance, but long-term retention of condensate on the aluminum surface to absorb oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen in the air, the formation of corrosion cells on the aluminum surface to accelerate corrosion. Corrosion products gather on the surface of aluminum fins, which will reduce the heat exchange rate. For water coolers, the same corrosion problem exists on the water side, and long-term operation will also shorten the life of aluminum plate fin finned heat sinks. The plate fin finned tube radiator working under high pressure will cause fatigue due to cyclic changes in pressure and cracking of the bulkhead, causing leakage, so fatigue damage must be considered in the structural design.