Galvanic Corrosion Concern

[binar]

Fellow Forum Members,

I want to buy the Bykski Inline Aluminum temp sensor shown in the link below:

https://www.performance-pcs.com/water-cooling/accessories-misc/bykski-inline-aluminum-hd-lcd-thermometer-blue-b-tme-sc-v2-b-tme-sc-v2-b.html

 

However, it includes a warning which gives me some concern which reads:  "Warning: This component has aluminum that comes in contact with the coolant. You MUST use this in an aluminum compatible loop".

 

I was not aware Galvanic Corrosion could potentially corrode very expensive components in a loop when I set about  building my loop. My loop has the components listed below. From what I gather I mostly have copper components. I would appreciate any opinions if installing a Bykski Inline Aluminum temp sensor into my loop poses a serious corrosion risk to my loop?

 

Magicool Radiator (not clear if it is all copper or alunimum):

https://www.frozencpu.com/products/12702/ex-rad-227/Magicool_Extreme_Dual_120mm_Radiator_-_Slim_Profile_LC-RADI240.html

 

AORUS GeForce Waterforce Waterblock 8G GPU (has a copper base plate)

https://www.gigabyte.com/us/Graphics-Card/GV-N208SAORUS-WB-8GC#kf

 

Maelstrom V2 reservoir (not clear if it all copper or alunimum):

http://www.swiftech.com/maelstrom-d5-v2.aspx

 

Apogee SKF Prestige CPU Waterblock (has copper):

http://www.swiftech.com/apogee-skf-prestige.aspx

 

Lastly, is there a liquid coolant I can use that will prevent Galvanic Corrosion? Thank you for your time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Juular]

8 minutes ago, binar said:

 I would appreciate any opinions if installing a Bykski Inline Aluminum temp sensor into my loop poses a serious corrosion risk to my loop?

Exactly as warning on it states, yes, you shouldn't mix metals in the loop.

Edit: no idea about your radiator (it's probably aluminum so you should probably replace it too) but pump components are likely plastic with anodized aluminum couplers which is safe.

Edit 2: radiator are brass, it's safe to use with copper.

[Lurick]

Yes you will definitely risk galvanic corrosion with copper + aluminum and there is no fluid that will stop it, just slow it down.

[Metallus97]

Just dont! There are colants "for mixed loops" etc but over time chemistry will do its thing either way...

Idd really NOOOOT do it!

[MaratM]

Anodised aluminium is inert to galvanic corrosion, unless you remove the anodising lair with chemicals or sand paper. but if you want to avoid it altogether use an inline thermal sensor from Thermaltake  

[Metallus97]

5 hours ago, MaratM said:

Anodised aluminium is inert to galvanic corrosion, unless you remove the anodising lair with chemicals or sand paper. but if you want to avoid it altogether use an inline thermal sensor from Thermaltake  

yeha... but id not trust that since sometimes the anodision isn't perfect, gets scratched etc. Over (long) time there could be corrosion anyway

[SolarNova]

Dont mix metals. You CAN get away with it if u use a very strong anti corrosive mix, but its not recommended.

 

Ever flush a car radiator ? especially used cars with multiple owners ?

The coolant comes out brown for a reason, because, on average, many people will just fill their radiator with water. Car coolant systems are a mixture of materials including Aluminium , iron, steal etc. all of which corrode together in the same system.

 

In a PC loop the 3 metals u should only ever really mix is Copper,Brass, and Nickel, even then u should use a corrosion inhibitor as the nickel plating does eventual fail.

Silver used to also be used commonly as biocide, however that should be avoided if using Nickel plating as that courses nickel plating to fail even quicker.

 

So .. dont use that flow sensor/indicator.