Experimental results of nanofluids flow effects on metal surfaces

• We present experimental corrosion and erosion of nanofluids on metals.
• Stainless steel is not affected by the nanofluid flow.
• Copper behavior depends on the fluid; aluminum is most sensitive metal.
• Very different behavior resulted for the four nanofluids used.
• Possible negative interactions with heat transfer components using nanofluids.

The results of an experimental study on the effects of the flow of nanofluids (water-based suspensions of nanometer-sized solid particles) on metal surfaces are presented. Either different nanofluids (containing TiO2, Al2O3, ZrO2, and SiC, respectively) and different target materials (aluminum, copper, stainless steel) have been investigated, under similar operating conditions. Different behaviors were observed depending on the specific combination nanofluid-target material, which in some cases led to severe damaging of the tested target, thus highlighting the need for an adequate preliminary investigation of the possible interactions between the selected nanofluid and the apparatus materials, before its adoption as heat transfer fluid.

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