Fluid inside a heatpipe

[996GT2]

I need to bend the soldering at the end of one of the heatpipes on my AC Freezer 64 Pro to make it clear the side fan in my narrow Wave Master case. It does not need to be bent much, just a bit. i'm worried that I'll crack the solder and release the liquid (or whatever else) inside into the open air. Is the stuff inside a heatpipe dangerous in any way?

EDIT:

here's a picture of what I need to bend
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j120/996gt2/F64.jpg

 

[Ika]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heatpipe

apparently, a small amount of water, ethanol, or MERCURY, and the rest is filled with the vapor phase of the liquid.

so... better hope it's not mercury.

 

[996GT2]

Yeah, did see that, hope it's not mercury either...

 

[0roo0roo]

think its better to bend your case side, or cut away at the side fan to fit.. or remove it mercury..ouch

 

[SparkyJJO]

bend it carefully. Is the soldered point where it attaches to the fins or where it is sealed off? The heatpipes I've seen are crimped to seal them, the soldering is just to attach the pipes to the fins of the heatsink or whatever. So most likely if you crack the solder joint it won't leak or anything, and if you have a soldering iron or something you could probably solder it back again.

 

[996GT2]

Ok, this is what I need to bend; does it look crimp sealed?
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j120/996gt2/F64.jpg

 

[Howard]

Not sure, but the pipe is definitely sealed at the ends. Not that it really answers your question...

If the fluid escapes, that heat pipe is rendered useless.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: Howard
Not sure, but the pipe is definitely sealed at the ends. Not that it really answers your question...

If the fluid escapes, that heat pipe is rendered useless.

Nice post Howard!

 

[Griswold]

Rule of thumb: Do not ever bend anything that was sealed with solder. Odds are you break the seal even if its crimped and soldered (which it most likely is anyway) and potentially face slowly degrading performance of the HSF.

 

[Ika]

yeah, it's probably better to modify your case instead of the heatpipe. If you can get it to be aesthetic looking, props to you!

but if you decide to bend it anyway, make sure you keep it hot.

 

[Skott]

I'm curious if they would even bother to use mercury considering how unbio friendly it is nowadays.

 

[JEDIYoda]

I heard the fluid inside the heatpipes was liquid enriched nuclear grade uranium....
I could be wrong..

 

[RallyMaster]

lol, jediyoda. morgan, i'm pretty sure it's going to be alcohol or water at a low pressure.

 

[MadScientist]

Originally posted by: 996GT2
I need to bend the soldering at the end of one of the heatpipes on my AC Freezer 64 Pro

I would not even attempt it.

Originally posted by: Howard
If the fluid escapes, that heat pipe is rendered useless.

Heatpipe Info

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: MadScientist

Originally posted by: Howard
If the fluid escapes, that heat pipe is rendered useless.

Heatpipe Info

? Was I incorrect?

 

[996GT2]

Ok so it's most likely water in the heatpipe then according to the info page. I emailed AC, still haven't gotten a reply yet. However if it's most likely water I'll attempt it and if I crack the solder I can always re-solder the end, though the crimp sealing should keep it closed.

 

[RallyMaster]

Don't expect to get a reply from AC. I emailed them about the Silencer making popping noises from the motor when undervolted about two months ago and they haven't sent me back jackcrap.

 

[996GT2]

ah talk about bad service...

 

[Ika]

# For usual temperatures to meet electronics cooling requirements: Distilled water with various additions, organic substances like acetone (think nailpolish remover), methanol, ethanol (think booze), toluene (think magic markers).
# For high temperatures: Metals like mercury, sodium, silver.

so, looks like water or organic chemicals.

 

[TheRyuu]

So whats so bad about mercury. Ya know there in those lightbulbs (the white, and energy efficent kinds).

The mercury VAPOR is very bad, the liquid, isn't really that bad. (asides from having a high(er) vapor pressure and turning into a gas, even a room temperature, which is most likely why it's so dangerous (i think, been a while since chem.)

 

[MadScientist]

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: MadScientist

Originally posted by: Howard
If the fluid escapes, that heat pipe is rendered useless.

Heatpipe Info

? Was I incorrect?

Yes, you are correct. I was using your statement as a reference.

 

[Vegitto]

It'd be cheaper to buy a new HSF .

 

[996GT2]

WOW, AC REPLIED!!

Anyway, should be safe:

arctic cooling
to me
More options 1:00 am (12 hours ago)
Dear Sir

The heatpipes only contain water! You can try to bend the pipes, although we do not recommend this as this may cause the pipes to leak and thus stop working properly

arctic team