Tip: Preventing Corrosion in Water Cooled Sensors

Customer Service Department, Ophir Photonics

Many customers use ordinary tap water and have no problems with corrosion. Still, the level of risk depends on a variety of factors related to local water conditions and is very difficult to predict. That is why our recommendation is to use DI water.

For users who follow this guideline, the risk of corrosion is extremely low. This is the single most useful step to take to prevent corrosion problems; users following this guideline can use standard sensors confidently.

For users who follow this guideline, the risk of corrosion is extremely low. This is the single most useful step to take to prevent corrosion problems; users following this guideline can use standard sensors confidently.

Having said that, for users who cannot do so, or who require additional measures even with DI water, there are further steps one can take:

1. Commercial anti-corrosion additives can be added to the water. (Note: We do not recommend using glycol preparations. There are, instead, commercial additives specifically meant for inhibiting corrosion, such as “OptiShield Plus.”)
2. For those who have had corrosion problems in the past and/or cannot use DI water as recommended, we have the 1000WP-BB-34 sensor, which has a special design in which all materials that come into contact with the cooling water are either copper or nonmetallic. This sensor will not corrode even with water solutions having undesirable content. Similar sensors for higher powers are also planned.