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Unread 06-30-2004, 04:10 PM   #18
AngryAlpaca
Cooling Savant
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Alberta
Posts: 631
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Quote:
The reaction isn't directly between the two materials, but rather between one piece of metal and dissolved ions in the coolant. Having a common potiential between the two metals doesn't affect the dissolved ions.
Quote:
You need to have a metallic path in order for anything to happen in the first place. If you are not sure of this take a resistivity measurement between the waterblock and the radiator. Also, as you can see on the chart in the above link, the two metals are not that far apart. In short, the potential difference between the two metals is not very substantial so any problems should be minor. One other thing going for you is the use of distilled water. DW has a relatively high resistivity which will further inhibit the corrosion rate.

If you are still concerned about this, you could electrically isolate the radiator from the waterblock. Of course this may not be an option depending on how it is installed. Perhaps the thing to do would be to take it apart after a month and give it a good ol inspection.
How do you plan to electrically isolate the radiator (we're talking reservoirs, by the way) from the water block? Not have water flowing through them? That won't work very well.
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