mixing copper with aluminum. need help please.

[Zeeee]

Hello fellow carbonites,

I need some help please.

is there anyone here experienced enough to help me as to what liquid to add to a system that has aluminum radiators and a copper cpu block ?

So will distilled water and some antifreeze mixed in suffice or can you recommend a mix i can purchase ?
any help would be much appreciated.

Regards
Zee




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[Oj0]

Additives will slow down but not prevent galvanic corrosion. You're ultimately going to have issues down the road. I'd rather look at different radiators.

 

[rinners]

So will distilled water and some antifreeze mixed in suffice or can you recommend a mix i can purchase ?

Pure glycol.

Glycol is 5-10% less efficient than water in transferring heat. However, this is more than recouped by the elimination of scale, dirt, and corrosion that can reduce heat transfer!

 

[Zeeee]

thank you very much for your response

Additives will slow down but not prevent galvanic corrosion. You're ultimately going to have issues down the road. I'd rather look at different radiators.

i am not interested in getting other radiators, i know copper and aluminum works i just want to find out what additive to add to the loop ? the loop will be serviced once a year to prevent galvanic corrosion.
to my knowledge im sure Thermaltake or EKWB sells a mix for copper and aluminum loops.

 

[rinners]

to my knowledge im sure Thermaltake or EKWB sells a mix for copper and aluminum loops.

They won't. If there's aluminium it will be on the fins, which won't be in contact with the water. The copper tubes will be in contact with the aluminium which technically will cause corrosion, but I think water is more of a catalyst than air.

 

[Hobo Joe]

to my knowledge im sure Thermaltake or EKWB sells a mix for copper and aluminum loops.

On the contrary, they specifically advise not mixing copper and aluminum components.

 

[Zeeee]

Thanks guys

 

[luke.peter88]

Galvanic corrosion only exists in dissimilar metals when connected by an electrolyte (a fluid capable of transferring current), AND when electrically connected to one another. If there is no electrical (actual conductor) connection between the dissimilar metals (like using metal Piping) there cannot be galvanic corrosion taking place.

Use biocide in your loop, and ensure the radiator tubes are not connected electrically to the cpu block, and there is no risk of corrosion.

 

[luke.peter88]

Galvanic corrosion only exists in dissimilar metals when connected by an electrolyte (a fluid capable of transferring current), AND when electrically connected to one another. If there is no electrical (actual conductor) connection between the dissimilar metals (like using metal Piping) there cannot be galvanic corrosion taking place.

Use biocide in your loop, and ensure the radiator tubes are not connected electrically to the cpu block, and there is no risk of corrosion.

Note, aside from this overly simplistic explanation, copper solubility in water is a thing, and small copper deposits on the Ali tubes will result in microcell formation (since the cu is now electrically attached to the Ali) a simple corrosion inhibitor should also be added. Pure antifreeze has apparently been used with some success (Ali block designed, not cast iron).

Disclaimer - this is not knowledge based on water cooler use, just my experience with galvanic corrosion prevention and protection at work (mech eng).

 

[pXius]

The entry level full DIY kits EKWB sells are alu, all the other stuff is copper.

 

[P1000]

There are many AIO's with copper block and alu radiators. It's not as big an issue as people make it out to be.

 

[rinners]

Note, aside from this overly simplistic explanation, copper solubility in water is a thing, and small copper deposits on the Ali tubes will result in microcell formation (since the cu is now electrically attached to the Ali) a simple corrosion inhibitor should also be added. Pure antifreeze has apparently been used with some success (Ali block designed, not cast iron).

Disclaimer - this is not knowledge based on water cooler use, just my experience with galvanic corrosion prevention and protection at work (mech eng).

From wiki - "Most antifreeze is made by mixing distilled water with additives and a base product". I think you mean pure glycol

 

[luke.peter88]

From wiki - "Most antifreeze is made by mixing distilled water with additives and a base product". I think you mean pure glycol

Not pure ethelene glycol, simply undiluted antifreeze (people sometimes use the antifreeze as an additive with deionised water, not that this would be ineffective, it just further dilutes the additive package) excessive glycol concentration inhibits heat transfer vs standard dilutions. EG itself offers little benefit to the cooling loop in a pc since its primary job is to lower the freezing point of the mix, the anti particulate adhesion additives and corrosion inhibitors are of greater value (IMO, whatever little it is worth).

I don't anticipate that it really matters all that much though, what are the stats regarding mixed metal system failures when properly distilled water was used neat? I am ignorant as to actual figures, but I can't imagine there is significant degradation over typical component lifetimes.

 

[rinners]

As stated above glycol should only be 10% less efficient than water in terms of heat transfer according to engineering toolbox.

mixing copper with aluminum. need help please. | Tech Other

Hello fellow carbonites, I need some help please. is there anyone here experienced enough to help me as to what liquid to add to a system that has aluminum radiators and a copper cpu block ? So will distilled water and some antifreeze mixed in suffice or can you recommend a mix i can purchase...

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