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- Nov 2, 2012
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How do threaded connections between copper and aluminum host components handle? For example, suppose the battery tube and whatnot are aluminum but the front end is copper, and the two host segments thread together (as host segments so often do).
How is that threaded joint going to hold up given that copper and aluminum have different coefficients of thermal expansion? I feel like that joint would tend to work itself loose over time, due to the differential expansion and contraction as the host temperature varies. I'm less worried about galvanic corrosion, since I use copper heatsinks in aluminum C6 hosts and have not had any issue with it. I can see it maybe being a problem if the host were exposed to water a lot, but for obvious reasons I don't let that happen. I'm not worried about electrical issues because the current through the joint will be low, i.e. less than 1A.
Are there any less-obvious interactions between the two that I haven't considered, perhaps some more subtle form of corrosion or similar?
ETA: The aluminum threads in my case are/will be anodized; I imagine that would reduce the chances galvanic corrosion, especially if combined with some water-resistant grease in the threads.
How is that threaded joint going to hold up given that copper and aluminum have different coefficients of thermal expansion? I feel like that joint would tend to work itself loose over time, due to the differential expansion and contraction as the host temperature varies. I'm less worried about galvanic corrosion, since I use copper heatsinks in aluminum C6 hosts and have not had any issue with it. I can see it maybe being a problem if the host were exposed to water a lot, but for obvious reasons I don't let that happen. I'm not worried about electrical issues because the current through the joint will be low, i.e. less than 1A.
Are there any less-obvious interactions between the two that I haven't considered, perhaps some more subtle form of corrosion or similar?
ETA: The aluminum threads in my case are/will be anodized; I imagine that would reduce the chances galvanic corrosion, especially if combined with some water-resistant grease in the threads.
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