Question about Copper Radiator

[phongle123]

When buying copper radiator do you want to buy both Copper Fins and Copper Body or can you do Copper Fin/Aluminum Body or Aluminum Fin/Copper Body?

 

I am using Aluminum Radiators right now and know that it corrodes because of Copper Coldplates.

This is prevented with Anti-Corrosive anti-freeze.

This causes Algae to grow.

This is prevented with algaecide.

What is the next disadvantage from using algaecide? Or is using this setup good and I wont have to buy new radiators?

[W-L]

3 minutes ago, phongle123 said:

When buying copper radiator do you want to buy both Copper Fins and Copper Body or can you do Copper Fin/Aluminum Body or Aluminum Fin/Copper Body?

 

I am using Aluminum Radiators right now and know that it corrodes because of Copper Coldplates.

This is prevented with Anti-Corrosive anti-freeze.

This causes Algae to grow.

This is prevented with algaecide.

What is the next disadvantage from using algaecide? Or is using this setup good and I wont have to buy new radiators?

Ideally it's best to avoid mixed metal loops since it tends to corrode copper waterblocks, using a compatible mixed metal fluid would be best but long term may still run into some problems. For rads you want full copper or brass where fluid makes contact meaning all the tubes, end caps and such, fins can be aluminium but many will be a brass or copper alloy due to ease of manufacture at that point. 

[phongle123]

21 minutes ago, W-L said:

Ideally it's best to avoid mixed metal loops since it tends to corrode copper waterblocks, using a compatible mixed metal fluid would be best but long term may still run into some problems. For rads you want full copper or brass where fluid makes contact meaning all the tubes, end caps and such, fins can be aluminium but many will be a brass or copper alloy due to ease of manufacture at that point. 

Thank you. So to make sure for radiators I'd have to make sure the body itself and the hole that the compression fitting goes into are copper is that correct?

Am I correct to assume that the material that the compession fittings and fitting plugs are created from (regardless of color) are safe for the loop because they don't state their material in their description?

[W-L]

4 minutes ago, phongle123 said:

Thank you. So to make sure for radiators I'd have to make sure the body itself and the hole that the compression fitting goes into are copper is that correct?

Am I correct to assume that the material that the compession fittings and fitting plugs are created from (regardless of color) are safe for the loop because they don't state their material in their description?

Yes most rads will be full copper with usually brass threaded ports for extra durability, many units also have side panels that may be steel or aluminium as they are just to enclose the core and don't touch any fluid. Some manufactures will say what material they are but they should all be a brass or copper base and from there either blackened, powder coated or some nickel plated.