Copper and stainless steel: corrosion risk?

Stainless isn't the most popular choice of materials for watercooling, but I can't help but think it would look awesome if my new P5 build sported stainless steel tubing.

How bad would the corrosion risk be between stainless and copper?

I think the risk would be very low because stainless steel itself resists corrosion. Apparently it forms a protective film on itself that prevents it from interacting with the environment, and shouldn't degrade in the presence of copper ions. Chloride ions are what can really degrade stainless steel.

Some info here:
http://www.overclockers.com/forums/...Copper-and-Stainless-Steel-Galvanic-Corrosion
https://www.copper.org/applications...cussion/fundamentals/arch_considerations.html
https://www.service-partners.com/catalog/docs/Information/5-Galvanic_Compatibility.pdf

stainless is corrosion resistant so if should be fine. you could use distilled and a splash of additive just in case.

Cool! This is what I expected, but I just wanted to check with the knowledgeable folks here. Cheers!

I just Googled...

pendragon1 said:

I just Googled...

Click to expand...

Maybe I just like taking to you, buddy.

polished stainless can almost pass as chrome, but its pricey and frequently harder to work with, at least in comparison with other soft metals used for tube bending. if you can stomach the material cost, go for it.

I have been toying around with making an all stainless loop out of some extra Swagelok stuff I got laying around. The stuff looks great but its one of those measure 10 times cut once projects.

Hell I am looking at some of the scraps of -6 SS braided around work and thinking about eliminating the tygon from my setup. Full copper hardpipe and braided AN flexes, that'll basically outlive me.

Well it depends on what particular stainless steel you want to use. Some grades will corrode no problem in a water loop. Basically do your research and don't buy the cheap stuff.

I don't know they always associated it with it. same with Brass innards and fittings that go on too. I don't really care me the mixing as long as not like direct contact with different metals that is bad...but like I said enough solutions to stop and delay a lot of it...and the corrosion that does occur has always usually been on the Block from it, and that can be dissembled and cleaned with Alcohol or Vinegar etc, no real biggey...so if you have to and sometimes kinda inevitable you can maintain it. I've never really seen a rad get that bad as some say.

Like I said the corrosion horror stories I guarantee you a lot of it was direct contact with opposing metals fittings etc.
This is why the Plastic and Acrylic and Acetal tops are a good idea on blocks...no risk of direct contact.

It's another thing too where Electrolysis probably did occur somewhat because grounded ground potential with the mobo and case...so another reason why ran open on the bench and haven't seen a whole lot of corrosion over the years.

Maddd Genius man.