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That's exactly what it will do. Over time it will eventually eat a hole in your water block and water goes all over your mb and other components.
I must admit, my post was kind of a setup. The only way galvanic corrosion can occur is if the two mixed metals were connected electrically (NOT just electrolytically, it HAS to be both). The fact that the two are separated by the non-conductive tubing, this eliminates any chance of galvanic corrosion.
Say if you had aluminum fittings into a Cu waterblock (providing the Al actually comes in contact with the Cu) THEN you would be in for a world of hurt.
Also, typically in the pipeline corrosion industry that I am employed in, we will protect a steel line (or steel anything) with magnesium. Overtime the magnesium anode will sacrifice itself to protect the steel. Magnesium is more electronegative than steel (to ground) (Steel-ground is around -650mV CSE, and magnesium-ground is around -1700mV CSE). The most electronegative metal out of the 2 will always be the anode (or corroding metal). So lets say that the Al and Cu were making electrical contact, Aluminum to ground is about -950mV CSE, and copper to ground can range between -100 to -200mV CSE. This situation would actually result in the aluminum corroding, and cathodically protecting the copper.
Now I ask that you PLEASE dont take this is any sort of attack, as I think the people on this forum are some of the most helpful that I have seen. Everything I said is supported in that link provided by the above poster.
the tubing may indeed be non conductive... but the water flowing through shure as heck aint lol and the water also picks up the cu and al molecules and deposits them on the next and bam there they are touching
just get nickel plated block and be good
I decided to become determined to find the thread that came to mind. It was all the way back on page 31 in this sub forum (if that gives you an idea of my determination). The member that posted it was CrazyV, it was a Koolance block (copper base, aluminum top), and Primochill ICE for the coolant.
Here is the thread.
http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=636600
I also passed by a few of my old threads, and as much as I hate to say it, a year and a half ago, I think I seemed as newb as they get.
The fact that the two are separated by the non-conductive tubing, this eliminates any chance of galvanic corrosion.
Um, no.
Corrosion occurs as copper ions soluble in water deposit on the aluminum forming the galvanic cell. One method that corrosion inhibitors work, is by preventing ions from becoming soluble or by scavenging ions.
Most galvanic corrosion occurs from metals separated by water exactly as an aluminum block and copper rad are in your example. It would be uncommon to see a manufacturer stupid enough to actually screw some aluminum into copper with water present, which is why that way isnt to common.
Why do you think we have corrosion inhibitors? Do you think corrosion inhibitors were designed or would work if people attached aluminum to copper? the answer is no. Corrosion inhibitors exist to prevent soluble ions from attaching to non-similar metals, ie to protect the exact type of corrosion that occurs when mixing an aluminum rad with copper block or vice versa.
Many years ago, when more common to mix metals, there were frequent pics of corrosion from running an aluminum radiator with a copper block or brass rad with aluminum block.
Edit: or another example is car aluminum core radiators with iron engine blocks. Corrosion inhibitors break down and loose effectiveness over years, which is why your supposed to have rad flushed every 5-7 years or so. Maybe next time I will just tell the mechanic, no sir just fill up rad with distilled water, my engine and aluminum rad are separated by hoses.
No, of course having inhibitor doesn't stop if the two metals are coupled. It wouldnt do a damn thing to stop it lol.
The only reason that you would have galvanic corrosion in an Al rad and Cu block, is due to the flow. If electrolyte was stagnant, it wouldnt be an issue. But, we should keep that pump on just in case
And my statement about no electrical contact stopping galvanic corrosion is 100% true. If copper from the block makes its way to the Aluminum rad, then TOUCHES the rad, well I guess that is an electrical contact.
Hell, even just one metal in an electrolyte will galvanically corrode with itself. Which inhibitor can assist with.
One more thing, I really don't want to turn this into a pissing match, nor do/will I argue. Lets be civil people.
Mixing metals in a loop.
Originally Posted by Thetaint
Can someone explain why an aluminum rad and a copper block is bad? Other than copper is just better at heat dissipation.
I keep reading that the above setup will gavlanically corrode your (Cu)water block.
No, of course having inhibitor doesn't stop if the two metals are coupled. It wouldnt do a damn thing to stop it lol.
The only reason that you would have galvanic corrosion in an Al rad and Cu block, is due to the flow. If electrolyte was stagnant, it wouldnt be an issue. But, we should keep that pump on just in case
And my statement about no electrical contact stopping galvanic corrosion is 100% true. If copper from the block makes its way to the Aluminum rad, then TOUCHES the rad, well I guess that is an electrical contact.
Hell, even just one metal in an electrolyte will galvanically corrode with itself. Which inhibitor can assist with.
One more thing, I really don't want to turn this into a pissing match, nor do/will I argue. Lets be civil people.