FAQs, Tips, and Recommendations

Coolant Recommendations

For closed-loop cooling systems, the most suitable coolant is usually distilled water. This specially treated water does not contain any impurities or minerals present in tap water. This helps minimize the risk of corrosion and scale formation within the cooling system.

Using distilled water helps prevent the buildup of mineral deposits, which can impede heat transfer and reduce the cooling system’s efficiency. It also reduces the likelihood of corrosion, which can damage components over time.

It’s important to note that using tap water or other water with high mineral content in a copper-based cooling system can lead to various issues, including scale formation, corrosion, and reduced performance. Therefore, it is generally recommended to use distilled water for optimal operation and longevity of the system.

In certain cases, other types of purified water such as deionized water, RO (reverse osmosis) water, and demineralized water can also be suitable coolants. However, Radyne does not recommend their use if your cooling system contains stainless steel components. This is because there is evidence to suggest that these types of water, especially deionized water, can speed up the corrosion of stainless steel.