[hmale]

Allow me to philosophize a bit. After reading pH's excellent article on the 5 myths about cooling... I thought it would be beneficial to challenge some of the prevailing wisdom concerning water cooling.

Some of the practices that we engage in are founded in science and practical application...obviously other practices are not. I would like to start the ball rolling with a comment then a direct question to our resident chemist, pH.

My understanding of the commonly used additives in our coolant mixtures e.g. Water Watter, Purple Ice et al, is that they are surfactants, and as such do impact the performance of water cooled systems in a positive manner...to some degree. However, I have found (in my limited reading on the subject) no evidence to support some of the properties that have been attributed to these products. The ability to act as a biocide is one example.

So pH...can you elaborate on what sufactants can and can not do. Additionally, do you have any performance metrics on the relative impact of these substances in a water cooling environment?

BTW, I invite others to challenge and ask questions along these lines.

Cheers!!