An experimental study was carried out for tapes with double-sided delta-winglets under different geometrical and flow parameters, including angles of attack (90degrees, 60degrees and 30degrees), winglet heights (8, 12 and 16 mm), pitch arrangements (25, 50 and 75 mm) and Reynolds numbers (3690, 10493 and 16906). By using the Taguchi experimental-design method, the optimum parameters of the turbulator were determined by obtaining the Nusselt number, friction factor, amplitude of fluctuation pressure of the vortices and the vortex-shedding frequency. First of all, each goal was optimized, separately. Then, all the goals were optimized together, considering the priority of the goals, and the optimum results were obtained at a Reynolds number of 16906, 25 mm pitch, 8 mm height of winglet and 30degrees angle of attack, so that vortex-shedding frequencies are maximised. For lower frequencies, optimum conditions occurred at a Reynolds number of 16906 for 75 mm pitch, 8 mm height of winglet and 60degrees angle of attack. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.