Methods and compositions for passivating heat exchanger systems

Abstract

A method for treating parts in a heat exchanger system is provided. In the method, heat exchanger parts with metal surfaces which chemically and detrimentally interact with additives in coolant fluids in the heat exchanger system are treated by contacting the metal surfaces with a phosphate-containing solution for the phosphate-containing solution to passivate the metal surface for subsequent contact with the coolant fluids.

1 . A process for treating parts in a heat exchanger system which have, at least in part, a metal surface which chemically and detrimentally interact with additives in coolant fluids in the heat exchanger system, the process comprises the step of
 contacting the metal surface with a phosphate-containing solution,   wherein the phosphate-containing solution passivates the metal surface for subsequent contact with the coolant fluids.   
   
   
       2 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchange system comprises components containing aluminium and/or alloys thereof, and wherein the metal surface to be passivated by the phosphate-containing solution is brazed. 
   
   
       3 . The process of  claim 2 , where the metal surface is brazed with a fluorine-containing flux. 
   
   
       4 . The process of  claim 3 , wherein the fluorine-containing fluxing material is selected from the group of potassium fluoroborate, potassium fluoroaluminate, potassium fluoroaluminate, cesium fluoroaluminate, potassium fluorozincate, cesium fluorozincate, and mixtures thereof. 
   
   
       5 . The process of  claim 1 , for treating heat exchanger systems selected from the group of radiators, water pump, thermostats, engine head, cylinder liners, separator plates in fuel cells, and heater cores. 
   
   
       6 . The process of  claim 1 , for treating heat exchanger systems having parts formed by at least one of casting, brazing, forming, rolling, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       7 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the phosphate-containing solution contains 0.005 to 30 g/l of phosphate ions and has a pH of 4.0-12.0. 
   
   
       8 . The process of  claim 7 , wherein the composition has a pH of 6.5-11. 
   
   
       9 . The process of  claim 7 , wherein the phosphate ions in the phosphate-containing solution are derived from at least one of alkali metal phosphates, ammonium phosphates, polyphosphates, pyrophosphates, phosphoric acid, and mixtures thereof. 
   
   
       10 . The process of  claim 7 , wherein the phosphate-containing solution comprises 1-2 wt. % K 2 HP0 4  in solution. 
   
   
       11 . Use of a phosphate-containing solution having a pH of 4.0-12.0 and containing 0.005 to 30 g/l of phosphate ions for treating parts in a heat exchanger system which have, at least in part, a metal surface which chemically and detrimentally interact with additives in coolant fluids in the heat exchanger system, wherein phosphate ions in the phosphate-containing solution reduce chemical activity of the metal surface for subsequent contact with the coolant fluid. 
   
   
       12 . The use of  claim 11 , wherein the phosphate ions in the phosphate-containing solution are derived from at least one of alkali metal phosphates, ammonium phosphates, polyphosphates, pyrophosphates, phosphoric acid, and mixtures thereof.