Block Material

[mikelthebeast]

Just simple.

 

Whats the good and bad of having:

 

1.Full nickel

 

OR

 

2.Full copper

[xentropa]

Full copper will oxidize into an ugly green.

 

Full nickel may not be as thermally conductive.  It appears to cost more as well.

 

 

[Skiiwee29]

Most water blocks are either made of Aluminum, or Copper w/ Nickel plating. You dont see many bare blocks that are not plated anymore. 

[Christophe Corazza]

8 hours ago, xentropa said:

It appears to cost more as well.

 

Nickel is indeed extremely expensive. Therefore it is (almost) always used as plating material.

 

Plus, copper is a soft material that suffers from erosion corrosion, especially at flow obstructed areas in your block.

[W-L]

9 hours ago, mikelthebeast said:

-SNIP-

All nickel based blocks are made with a base material of copper since it's a good conductor of heat. As mentioned the reason for the plating is for aesthetics since copper will oxidize readily. For nickel block you do have to take some precautions such as not using silver kill coils in your loop and a compatible fluid/biocide since using the wrong one can cause flaking or damage the plating.