Can I use copper and aluminum in the same loop?

In a custom cooling loop, using a mixture of copper and aluminum is not recommended. If different types of metals are mixed in a cooling loop, it can result in an electrochemical process known as galvanic corrosion, bimetallic corrosion, or dissimilar metal corrosion. This process speeds up the corrosion of the less noble metal and leads to its destruction. Copper and aluminum should not be mixed since aluminum is less noble than copper and hence more susceptible to corrosion, leading to its eventual destruction over time.

Cooling liquid creates the necessary connection for galvanic corrosion to occur in custom cooling systems. Most coolants on the market will have some forms of anti corrosive inhibitor in them, but this will not completely stop the process if you mix aluminum and copper, it will only prolong the inevitable.

Fortunately, if you plan your custom cooling system using CORSAIR Hydro X components, you won't have to be concerned about galvanic corrosion. For our custom cooling components, we only use nickel-plated copper, brass, or copper alone (and of course acrylic and nylon for the transparent parts). Galvanic corrosion is prevented as aluminum, even if it is used for aesthetic reasons, does not come into contact with the coolant.

If you plan to mix parts from different brands for your custom cooling system, make sure every component uses copper, nickel-plated copper, or brass materials.

An equally important factor is to use a coolant such as CORSAIR Hydro X Series XL8 Performance Coolant, which contains advanced anti-corrosion and anti-bacterial inhibitors that won't tarnish or damage your blocks, fittings or tubing.

To begin planning your custom cooling loop, we developed a comprehensive Custom Cooling Configurator. This configurator can assist you in choosing all the suitable parts for the hardware you have chosen.