cali27
Well-known member
Just an FYI. I just came from the "Bolts plus" store looking to buy ss tapping screws for my upcoming mod. Everyone that worked there told me never to use ss with aluminum.
dyeguy1212 said:Theoretically it can cause corrosion, but I've never seen it happen.
Wait, is there anything that doesn't react with aluminum :lol:
it's called Bolts plus. Nice attempt at humor thoughbassboy1 said:...At which point you responded with, "Well what do you recommend I use Mr. Boats Plus sales fella," didn't you?
Just what did he recommend using?
cali27 said:They said just to use the regular metal screws. They also said that the ss would rust quicker because of the way it reacts to aluminum.
dyeguy1212 said:cali27 said:They said just to use the regular metal screws. They also said that the ss would rust quicker because of the way it reacts to aluminum.
Regular metal? I just checked the periodic table.. "metal" isn't an element... :lol:
How's that for humor?
I'd rather use SS and worry about corrosion (which I've never seen happen) vs buying regular "metal" and dealing with rust and rust lines from water dripping.
perchin said:dyeguy1212 said:cali27 said:They said just to use the regular metal screws. They also said that the ss would rust quicker because of the way it reacts to aluminum.
Regular metal? I just checked the periodic table.. "metal" isn't an element... :lol:
How's that for humor?
I'd rather use SS and worry about corrosion (which I've never seen happen) vs buying regular "metal" and dealing with rust and rust lines from water dripping.
x2 =D> I've myself used SS carriage style through aluminum and never had them rust out. :!:
Truckmechanic said:As long as it was above the water line and zinc plated I see no reason why it would hurt.
perchin said:Truckmechanic said:As long as it was above the water line and zinc plated I see no reason why it would hurt.
do you mean zinc is better than SS???
Wondering cuz the trade I'm in I use hardware daily and have never found zinc to hold up in any conditions for more than a couple years. I'll stick to SS
cali27 said:sorry guys, i did not know how many metal experts we have on here! Also sorry for not taking notes at the fastener store. I like to listen to people that know what they are talking about, therefore i will not use stainless steel screws. Sorry for even starting this post. It was not a shot at anyone who has used the ss.
cali27 said:They said just to use the regular metal screws. They also said that the ss would rust quicker because of the way it reacts to aluminum.
bassboy1 said:cali27 said:They said just to use the regular metal screws. They also said that the ss would rust quicker because of the way it reacts to aluminum.
I'm assuming by regular metal, that he is speaking of medium carbon steel screws and bolts (I'm talking grade 2 - grade 8 bolts and most screws sold today). These are all zinc coated. Now, ON PAPER, aluminum with zinc is a much better match than aluminum with stainless steel, which would be the case, IF the aluminum and ss quantities, or the aluminum and zinc quantities identical.
On the aluminum and stainless side of things, the stainless will be the cathode, and the aluminum the anode, due to stainless's lower reactivity. The cathode is the more noble metal, and the anode is the active metal, or the one you will see the corrosion on.
With aluminum v. zinc, the aluminum, having a lower reactivity, will be the cathode, and the zinc the anode.
Therefor, when you have Al plus SS, the Al will corrode, and when you have Al plus Zinc, the zinc will corrode. While it sounds as if you would want the fastener, not the boat to corrode, you have to look at quantities. On a hull, you have hundreds, often thousands of pounds of aluminum, whereas the fasteners used to attach the deck and accessories would equate to just a few pounds. Thus, the stainless fasteners aren't going to have much of an effect on the large mass of aluminum, but the large mass of aluminum will have a major effect on the small amount of zinc.
This is precisely why zinc is used as a sacrificial anode on aluminum boats and outboards, as OEM parts. The zinc is used, as it will corrode first, and thus keeps the natural galvanic corrosion from seawater from attacking the boat. It will favor the anode over the cathode any day of the week and twice on Sunday.
The is NO way to stop all corrosion on aluminum with usual methods. In fact, aluminum would be a virtually useless material if it didn't corrode. Instead, it rapidly oxidizes (as in almost instantaneously), which is why it must be welded on AC current, as it needs the alternating current to break up the oxide layer. Thus, you have to limit the corrosion. Ideally, matching alloy aluminum fasteners would be used, but they aren't practical, from a strength standpoint. Gold and platinum aren't practical from a cost standpoint. Stainless steel is the most commonly accepted medium between cost and function, which is why it is a standard in the marine industry.
If you don't like the way the stainless and aluminum co-mingle, weld them together, with a compatible alloy filler material. It is the best way to ward off corrosion by dissimilar fasteners, as no mechanical fasteners would be used.
dyeguy1212 said:perchin said:Truckmechanic said:As long as it was above the water line and zinc plated I see no reason why it would hurt.
do you mean zinc is better than SS???
Wondering cuz the trade I'm in I use hardware daily and have never found zinc to hold up in any conditions for more than a couple years. I'll stick to SS
I was thinking the same thing, but I'm no expert
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