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Aluminum + Copper issues?

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Hey guys..

So i will run a dual loop on my system which the one will cool the graphics cards and the other one mobo+cpu.

i heard something about aluminum and copper will be an issue.

the motherboard ill be using will be maximus vi formula cpu block will be alphacool xp3 light radiators by koolance fittings by monsoon and distilled water.

will i be ok ?? cause ive seen some reviews saying that maximus vi block is aluminum.

Thanks
 
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the problem with aluminum and copper is galvanic corrosion. with aluminum being more anodic than copper, it would corrode first. however, aluminum will not deteriorate easily due to corrosion because it would have thin aluminum oxide layer that prevent further oxidation.

with that being said, it would be safe if the aluminum and copper are not touching (connected) directly (e.g. using non metal fittings etc) because galvanic corrosion only occur with different metals joined directly.

i don't have any experience with water cooling, though, so don't count on what i said :roll:
 
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i heard that you can use some distilled water additives and it will be no problem such as primochill liquid utopia??
 
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Hey guys..

So i will run a dual loop on my system which the one will cool the graphics cards and the other one mobo+cpu.

i heard something about aluminum and copper will be an issue.

the motherboard ill be using will be maximus vi formula cpu block will be alphacool xp3 light radiators by koolance fittings by monsoon and distilled water.

will i be ok ?? cause ive seen some reviews saying that maximus vi block is aluminum.

Thanks

mostly stock heatsink from aluminum since its cheap and performs well, copper sometimes easy to get oxidation so i guess return to what liquid you use?
 
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You can always use car coolant fluid to avoid copper corrosion, but it has lower efficiency vs distilled water.
 

de.das.dude

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distilled water in itself is a bad conductor of electricity.
 
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so any solutions of this guys? :)
 

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should not be a problem. i see alimium rads with copper base AIO coolers all the time.
they are using a coolant but i dont think they put much though.

as mentioned
1. distilled water does not conduct electricity. plus it has no salts in it.
2. aluminium would erode first but aluminium oxide coating is really hard.

and if i am not wrong, the companies mighty already coat the copper with some fine layer of laquer/protecton, otherwise without which it would have lost its lusture in a day.
 
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So far off base on this one, it's not even funny.


Galvanic corrosion is where one metal preferentially corrodes over another. It occurs where two metals are in electrical contact with one another, and immersed in an an electrolyte solution.

The idea here is that one metal corrodes preferentially. In the case of aluminum and copper the aluminum will corrode, and leave deposits on the copper. These deposits prevent effective heat transfer, and thus hobble the performance of the cooler.

But wait, I hear people already saying distilled water is a non-electrolyte. That's a good point, but the problem then becomes an oxygen deprivation cell corrosion. Bubbles of air are dissolved into the cooling fluid, and will slowly corrode the surfaces. In the instance of either a pure copper or pure aluminum system, this is negligible. It attacks the surfaces, and cannot really do much damage. In the case of a mixed system this gets the ball rolling for galvanic corrosion. Small quantities of ionized metals turn the fluid into a weak electrolyte. From there, the corrosion process begins.

This type of corrosion could take years to manifest itself in a substantial fashion, but it is happening.


Those metallurgically astute cite the fact that aluminum oxide forms a protective layer, preventing further oxidation. This is true for atmospheric conditions, but aluminum oxide is also very weakly soluble in water. It dissolves, provides ions, and subsequent layers do the same.


So the idea of a mixed system is bad. Aluminum generally has poorer (but still high) conductivity, but a cheaper price. Copper has better conductivity, but is much more expensive. Either way you go, go pure.



Edit:
Changed wording. Both aluminum and copper are great conductors, and should be noted as such. My error.
 
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well am a little confused now but i think i shouldn't include the motehrboard into the loop
 
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Do NOT include the Asus chipset into the loop if you are using Copper fin radiators. The guy above who posted the long stuff about it being bad is correct, I've seen pictures of what happens when you mix aluminum and copper and it's all bad. Additives in your water already hinder the effectiveness of your cooling.

Ideally you want a pure copper loop with pure distilled water (and a kill coil in your res). I would not use colored additives, colored water or anything else, that stuff all will gunk up your loop and cause you to have to do maintenence more frequently. If you want a colored loop then get colored tubing and a colored reservoir.
 

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then best use non-conductive fluid used in cars. simple.
 

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then best use non-conductive fluid used in cars. simple.

Exactly. Use the newer anti freeze. It is the gold colored product that is used in newer vehicles. It is specially developed and designed to be used in mixed metals. :toast:
 
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what about those tests made by asus on the board?
 

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Exactly. Use the newer anti freeze. It is the gold colored product that is used in newer vehicles. It is specially developed and designed to be used in mixed metals. :toast:

yup and i bet its cheaper than the overpriced overhyped stuff you get as coolants. the car one should perform better too!
 

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what about those tests made by asus on the board?

cant really trust tests made by a company to fortify their OWN products now can you?

but its true, good anodizing wont corrode easily. not even after you scrub with a scuff pad. all cooking utensils made of aluminium are anodized heavily.
 
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well on linus review sais if u go with swiftech hydrx will be perfect so am gonna take the risk and go with it. hydrx gets only used if u mix with distilled water right?
 

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no clue. i dont use liquid XD waste of money.
 
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oh ok :) but when ur system gets galvanic corrosion is only on aluminum parts that is going to be or everywhere your loop goes to?
 
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oh ok :) but when ur system gets galvanic corrosion is only on aluminum parts that is going to be or everywhere your loop goes to?

The ally drops onto the copper and car coolants all good I use valvoline coolant and it works
 

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oh ok :) but when ur system gets galvanic corrosion is only on aluminum parts that is going to be or everywhere your loop goes to?

galvanic corrosion is when one metal corroes and diposites onto another.
 

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the thing is, dont your city have cars in them? buy some car coolant like i said.
 
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i will see i might go with car coolant instead of distilled..

i made my research and the metals are going to be used are:

alphacool repack res=brass+copper

alphacool nexxxos xp3 brass+copper

monsoon brass fittings

koolance and swiftech rads copper+brass

xspc razor copper gpu blocks

and maximus vi formula crosschill aluminium!
 
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