Re: [DML] Stainless in coolant system

[Paul Gress <pgress@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

As with any electrical circuit, it needs to be closed to draw current.  
If you connect (wire) the copper radiator and the aluminum engine block 
together, there is a voltage potential is through the electrolyte or 
antifreeze.  If there is no connection, there is no current running 
through the electrolyte (open circuit).  So, as was stated before, 
electrical isolation is good for the radiator if it's copper.  Also 
copper (231 BTU/hr-ft-°F) is more thermally conductive then aluminum 
(136 BTU/hr-ft-°F), so copper would make a better radiator then aluminum 
being almost twice as thermally conductive (silver being the only metal 
more thermally conductive then copper).  So, if an aluminum radiator and 
a copper radiator were exactly the same dimensions and had exactly the 
same number of cooling fins, the copper radiator would exchange more 
heat due to the fins being more thermally conductive and able to supply 
the wasted heat quicker.

Paul


Marc Levy wrote:
> If I understand the science behind this (and I am not sure I do), the problem is that a battery is created because of the dissimilar metals being separated by the liquid.  So, the "Potential Difference" (or Voltage) created between the Aluminum and Stainless is what causes damage to the Aluminum (the weaker metal).  
>
> Assuming what I wrote above is correct, a wire between the SS bottle and aluminum engine would "short" the battery out...  so there would be a potential difference of zero...  But, would that stop the damage to the Aluminum?
>
> Maybe someone who understands this can explain it better.  :)
>
>   


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