The article states that the system was cooled using a solution of sodium chromate to inhibit corrosion. However the wiki page of sodium chromate states that it is very corrosive. Is it a typo or something?
Chromates are effective corrosion inhibitors for aluminum alloys and some other metals. Here's a brief article about how they work with aluminum:
"Inhibition of Aluminum Alloy Corrosion by Chromates"
When the Wikipedia entry's "Safety" section says that sodium chromate is corrosive, in context it means "destructive to human tissue by contact." That is, like sodium hydroxide (lye) and many other chemicals, in concentrated form it can destroy skin and eyes.
Chromates are effective corrosion inhibitors for aluminum alloys and some other metals. Here's a brief article about how they work with aluminum:
"Inhibition of Aluminum Alloy Corrosion by Chromates"
https://www.electrochem.org/dl/interface/wtr/wtr01/IF12-01-P...
When the Wikipedia entry's "Safety" section says that sodium chromate is corrosive, in context it means "destructive to human tissue by contact." That is, like sodium hydroxide (lye) and many other chemicals, in concentrated form it can destroy skin and eyes.