Liquid filled heat sinks

[UncleBenBen]

OK, I'm normally pretty good with searches to find what I need. This one is bugging me. I know that Dell, HP, and a few others claim that it's water. I just want to hear that somebody else has cut one open. I've accidentally punctured a few evap/condensor coils in my time, just don't want to fill my basement with refrigerant! Nasty stuff!!
Oh and just doing mechanical processing in here. Every thing else OUTSIDE and in very small batches for now.....

And let me say that all you long timers here are awesome! And even some of the newer guys that are stepping up with advice! I hope to be there soon. Still got A LOT of studying to do!

 

[jimdoc]

Every one I have cut apart was dry inside.

Jim

 

[Grelko]

Every one I have cut apart was dry inside.

Jim

Same here, but I've only found a couple of them so far.

I know you can get/make water cooled ones especially if you're overclocking, but those usually have clear plastic pipes that you can see the water "sometimes aluminum though", along with the small radiators.

 

[UncleBenBen]

Hahahaha!!! Overly cautious me then. I guess whatever leaks out could explain why I rescue so much Dell stuff from the dumpsters! Thanks a million jimdoc.

 

[g_axelsson]

According to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat_pipe the by far most common type is copper pipe with water.

If the heat pipe is dry inside then it has developed a leak, it can't work without some fluids but it could be enough with just small amounts of water. The pipe doesn't work if it is full, the heat is transferred via evaporation and as a gas.

I sort the heat pipes as second grade copper scrap.

Göran

 

[silversaddle1]

Been cutting them apart as long as I can remember. No issues. The liquid in them is water.