APPLICATION NOTE # D3
Material Compatibility (cooling circuit walls vs. coolant fluid)
Priatherm designs and produces Liquid Cold Plates using mainly following materials as wall of the
hydraulic circuit:

Al EN AW 1050

Al EN AW 3103

Al EN AW 6060

Copper ETP 99,9

Stainless Steel AISI 304
The related chemical compositions are reported in the table below:
Table D3.1
Si
Fe
Cu
Mn
Mg
Cr
Zn
Impurities
Other
elements
Ti
Unit
Tot.
1050A
0.25
0.40
0.05
0.05
0.05
-
0.07
-
0.05
0.03
-
3103
0.50
0.7
0.10
0.9-1.5
0.30
0.10
0.20
0.10Zr+Ti
-
0.05
0.15
6060
0.30-0.6
0.10-0.30
0.10
0.10
0.35-0.6
0.05
0.15
-
0.10
0.05
0.15
Min.
Al
99.50
Chemical percentage composition – maximum limits, except for Al and, where indicated, as range (ref. standard
EN573)
Table D3.2
AISI 304
C
P
S
N
Mn
Si
Cr
Ni
Ti
0.08
0.04
0.03
-
2.0
0.75
18.0-20.0
8.0-11.0
-
Table D3.3
Copper ETP 99,9
Cu (+Ag) %
O%
P%
99,90 min.
0,04 (max)
-
This document is PRIATHERM's intellectual property. It must not be used for any purpose other
than which it is disclosed. Complete or partial reproductions are forbidden without written permission from the owner
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APPLICATION NOTE # D3
Each material can be used only in combination with a certain set of coolants according to following
Table D3.4.
Table D3.4
COMPATIBILITY
MATERIAL
Fresh Water
Glycol/Water
De-ionized
water
Oils (El.
Transformers)
CF4
Tetrafluoromethane
(R14)
B
A
**A2
A
See § below
B
A
B
A
See § below
A
B
**A1
A
See § below
Al EN AW 1050; Al
EN AW 3103; Al EN
AW 6060*
Copper ETP 99,5
Stainless Steel AISI
304
*Flux residuals which are present in minimum quantity after Controlled Atmosphere Brazing process are not suitable with
de-ionized water in electrically isolated applications. Under these circumstances, Priatherm suggests to use Vacuum
Brazed cold plates.
**Explanation of index:
1
=Satisfactory to 22° C
-
2
= Satisfactory to 48° C
Ratings -- Chemical Effect: A = Excellent; B = Good -- Minor Effect, slight corrosion or discoloration; C = Fair -- Moderate
Effect, not recommended for continuous use. Softening, loss of strength, swelling may occur; D = Severe Effect, not
recommended for ANY use.
Some notes about bi-phase coolant
Fluorine derivatives are widely used as coolants in refrigerating systems because of their
thermodynamical characteristics.
These are derivatives of methane and ethane in which some or all hydrogen atoms are replaced by
fluorine, chlorine or even bromine. Because fluorine is present in the molecule, these compounds
are very stable, both chemically and thermally. Some are stable up to 400 °C. They are not
decomposed in water, and will, therefore, not release hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acid.
Most of these compounds are gases at room temperature and under normal pressure.
Aluminum resists fluorinated hydrocarbons well. At 50 °C, the corrosion rate of aluminum in
contact with them is minute, and is estimated at 0.01 mm per year. The temperature limit for
using aluminum in contact with fluorinated hydrocarbons certainly exceeds 200–250 °C; some
have estimated it at more than 300 °C.
The use of copper-containing alloys (alloys of the 2000 series, and copper-containing alloys of the
7000 series) as well as alloys of the 5000 series containing more than 2.5% manganese in contact
with these fluorine derivatives is not recommended.
This document is PRIATHERM's intellectual property. It must not be used for any purpose other
than which it is disclosed. Complete or partial reproductions are forbidden without written permission from the owner
-2-
APPLICATION NOTE # D3
Table D3.5
Designation
Formulae
Dichlorodifluoromethane
CCl2F2
Chlorodifluorobromomethane
CClF2Br
Chlorotrifluoromethane
CClF3
Bromotrifluoromethane
CF3Br
Tetrafluoromethane
CF4
Dichlorofluormethane
CHCl2F
Chlorodifluormethane
CHClF2
Trifluoromethane
CHF3
1,1-Dichloro-1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane
CClF2CClF2
Chloropentafluoroethane
CClF2CF3
1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane
CF3CH2F
(1)This designation does not depend on the manufacturer.
Commercial designation(1)
12
12 B1, 1201
13
13 B1, 1301
14
21
22
23
114
115
134a
REFERENCES
[1] http://encyclopedia.airliquide.com/encyclopedia.asp
[2] http://www.coleparmer.com/
[3] http://aluminium.matter.org.uk/content/html/eng/default.asp?catid=&pageid=1
[4] Christian Vargel , Corrosion of aluminum, Consulting Engineer, Member of the Commission of Experts
within the International Chamber of Commerce, Paris, France http://www.corrosion-aluminium.com
[5] Moroni V., Macchi E., Giglioli G., Investigation on thermal stability and corrosion effects of dichlorodifluoro-methane in view of its possible application as working fluid in a power plant, La Termotecnica, vol.
28, 1974, p. 209–221.
This document is PRIATHERM's intellectual property. It must not be used for any purpose other
than which it is disclosed. Complete or partial reproductions are forbidden without written permission from the owner
-3-