Deionized Water Nickel Plated Aluminum: Important Corrosion Advice

Summary for deionized water nickel plated aluminum Discussion

deionized water and nickel plated aluminum are discussed here in the context of a space-use heat exchanger that clogged with green and white deposits. Andrea Hanson asked whether DI water might be affecting the nickel-plated aluminum and also whether a water deionizer could be converted into a distillation still. In a later follow-up, Dmitriy Pats reported hard deposits identified as nickel oxide and aluminum oxide and asked whether chem film would react with DI water. Rajesh Bassi suggested that dissolved oxygen in demineralized water can react with nickel metal and recommended trying an oxygen scavenger to remove the dissolved oxygen. Another reply noted that demineralized water removes mineral ions but not organics or bacteria, so it may not suit the original purpose; carbon treatment, distilled water, a broad-spectrum biocide, or another heat-transfer fluid were suggested, with a caution that some water sold as distilled is actually demineralized.