EK Copper vs Nickel: what are advantages/disadvantages ?

[shadowman007]

Ok like the title says what are the advantages & disadvantages when it comes to copper v nickel ? I'll be honest with you I really like the look of nickel 

[Chiobe]

Ok like the title says what are the advantages & disadvantages when it comes to copper v nickel ? I'll be honest with you I really like the look of nickel 

Only disadvantage I know of with nickel is that it can/will react with silver. Other then that, so should there be no difference other then copper might stain easier with certain colors.

[TheKDub]

Fairly sure the copper will corrode faster/easier than nickel.

[shadowman007]

Only disadvantage I know of with nickel is that it can/will react with silver. Other then that, so should there be no difference other then copper might stain easier with certain colors.

 

 

So if i go with Nickel then no using kill coil I guess which I was going to with distilled water?

[Chiobe]

Fairly sure the copper will corrode faster/easier than nickel.

Copper wont be much affected by pure water: "The corrosion rate of copper in most drinkable waters is less than 2.5 µm/year, at this rate a 15 mm tube with a wall thickness of 0.7 mm would last for about 280 years".

 

Copper with something other then pure water, can be a different story:

"Corrosion can be avoided by the use of a low-conducting, anti-corrosion liquid (which, in principle, is also distilled or deionized water). It is recommended to exchange the liquid with a fresh one after a period of time to remove the possibly dissolvedions from the closed water-cooling system. The introduction of additional metals into the system (silver, etc.) or the use of ionic algaecides (copper sulfate, etc.) even in minor concentrations can trigger the corrosion processes. Avoid the use of acidic substances, especially when using copper metal."

https://shop.ekwb.com/EK-IMAGES/Corrosion_Report_Final.pdf

[Chiobe]

So if i go with Nickel then no using kill coil I guess which I was going to with distilled water?

Yeah, you are better of getting a biocide of some sort.

[shadowman007]

 I have heard something about copper oxidation ?

[Ryoku]

 I have heard something about copper oxidation ?

You don't need to worry about that as long as your not mixing aluminum into your loop. Stick to copper, brass, nickle with a premixed coolant or distilled water and a biocide (add a compatible dye if you wish) and you'll be fine.

[shadowman007]

You don't need to worry about that as long as your not mixing aluminum into your loop. Stick to copper, brass, nickle with a premixed coolant or distilled water and a biocide (add a compatible dye if you wish) and you'll be fine.

 

Hi, thanks also does the EK nickel still have the "flaking"  problem  as I understand from silver? Because I wanted to  put a silver kill coil in the reservoir.

[RobTapps]

From what I know nickle can be used with a mixed metal loop to help prevent galvanic corosion, but don't quote me on that..

I would just be sure that your rad/blocks are copper

[Ryoku]

Hi, thanks also does the EK nickel still have the "flaking"  problem  as I understand from silver? Because I wanted to  put a silver kill coil in the reservoir.

 

Don't bother with a silver kill coil just use a biocide.

[W-L]

Hi, thanks also does the EK nickel still have the "flaking"  problem  as I understand from silver? Because I wanted to  put a silver kill coil in the reservoir.

 

If your using Nickel blocks don't use a kill coil use a biocide liek PT Nuke, silver and nickel in "harsh environments" are borderline dissimialr metals so it can cause the nickel to flake off or corrode.

[shadowman007]

If your using Nickel blocks don't use a kill coil use a biocide liek PT Nuke, silver and nickel in "harsh environments" are borderline dissimialr metals so it can cause the nickel to flake off or corrode.

 

Thanks for that but I just see another problem I think. The fittings I am gonna be using are the Monsoon Hardline Economy the barbs on them are "Marine Grade Brass with Antimicrobial Silver Finish" <<< I mean should this be a problem because I see the word silver in their?

[W-L]

Thanks for that but I just see another problem I think. The fittings I am gonna be using are the Monsoon Hardline Economy the barbs on them are "Marine Grade Brass with Antimicrobial Silver Finish" <<< I mean should this be a problem because I see the word silver in their?

 

If they plated the fittings with silver that wouldn't be a smart thing to do, silver tarnishes really quick so it will turn black or dull silver and make them look bad. I know they have silver plugs but i'm not sure if they are referring to that. 

 

Ideally it's best to never mix silver and nickel in a watercooling loop.

[shadowman007]

If they plated the fittings with silver that wouldn't be a smart thing to do, silver tarnishes really quick so it will turn black or dull silver and make them look bad. I know they have silver plugs but i'm not sure if they are referring to that. 

 

Ideally it's best to never mix silver and nickel in a watercooling loop.

 

If check the following  video on youtube (LINK BELOW) it mentions about the silver finish (video starts at the point where the guy mentions it.) 

 

https://youtu.be/noBAB2FC9IA?t=207

[shadowman007]

If they plated the fittings with silver that wouldn't be a smart thing to do, silver tarnishes really quick so it will turn black or dull silver and make them look bad. I know they have silver plugs but i'm not sure if they are referring to that. 

 

Ideally it's best to never mix silver and nickel in a watercooling loop.

 

 

If check the following  video on youtube (LINK BELOW) it mentions about the silver finish (video starts at the point where the guy mentions it.) 

 

https://youtu.be/noBAB2FC9IA?t=207

[W-L]

-SNIP-

 

Hmmm I see the value in it but personally I'd not like it to be silver plated. It's really hard to say since we don't know the silver type if you can best to use non-silver plated ones just for peace of mind.

 

I've leave you with this analysis that EKWB hired on the effects of silver coils and nickel blocks:

https://shop.ekwb.com/EK-IMAGES/Corrosion_Report_Final.pdf