Glass waterblock?

Soldato
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Hi, for those who have seen my other post I'm sure you can work out what I'm up to but does anyone know of a waterblock which instead of using acrylic it uses actual glass. I can't find one and don't know how I'd go about implementing glass instead of acrylic (E.g. on an EK block). :)
 
I guess it's possible but would take quite thick tough glass to take fittings and screws for the copper block. Probably would weigh a lot. Plexi water blocks already weigh a lot. If you can do it go for it. I'm sure it would look amazing if done properly not sure about heat and stuff though
 
yes you can replace a water block top with a glass version, its expensive and very time consuming and has to be done in its simplest form.
 
Trouble is a machined square block top made out of glass, with machined and tapped threaded holes is a collection of stress raisers which would try to develop fatigue cracks just as plexi tops do, and glass is not known for its tolerance of fatigue. It is one thing using glass for simple tubes where there are essentially no stress raisers and the only stress in the material comes from hoop stress due to the internal pressure, and cyclic stress due to thermal fluctuations is minimal, but a glass version is taking a serious risk if you ask me.
 
Trouble is a machined square block top made out of glass, with machined and tapped threaded holes is a collection of stress raisers which would try to develop fatigue cracks just as plexi tops do, and glass is not known for its tolerance of fatigue.

Considering the material properties of acrylic versus glass, do you think that the stresses would be high enough to develop cracks in glass?
 
Considering the material properties of acrylic versus glass, do you think that the stresses would be high enough to develop cracks in glass?
The idea just came to me as I was thinking of fish tanks and aquariums so I thought it would have been as simple as acrylic to do. The idea of stress wasn't my main concern (It appears it should have been from what I've read) as I was more concerned about the screw holes drilling the actual holes :)
 
well lets put it this way. I have one and i couldn't afford it but we have never show cased it due to costs involved. Id have to hunt it down at home because its still sat in the box some ware.
 
It is possible to make one, BUT you couldn't afford it.
Sounds like everything I do :D
well lets put it this way. I have one and i couldn't afford it but we have never show cased it due to costs involved. Id have to hunt it down at home because its still sat in the box some ware.
Would you be able to get a photo? I would be very grateful if you could :)
 
Glass is an excellent material in the right application.

High tolerance, intricate machined pieces being applied in high risk (should failure prevail) situations is not one of them.
 
Glass is an excellent material in the right application.
High tolerance, intricate machined pieces being applied in high risk (should failure prevail) situations is not one of them.
So it is better just to stick to acrylic then, shame as I was wondering if there was an alternative (Such as glass) which would be easily changed onto the block but wouldn't stain like acrylic does when using coloured coolants :)
 
Indeed - Stick to the tried and tested materials for blocks.

You can get glass tubing, reservoirs etc. If staining is an issue get acetal blocks and use glass tubing/res to show the coolant colour?
 
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