ShadowsPapa
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Bill
- Joined
- Oct 12, 2019
- Threads
- 247
- Messages
- 40,442
- Reaction score
- 53,860
- Location
- Runnells, Iowa
- Vehicle(s)
- '25 JTMX, '23 JLU 4xe, '82 SX4, '73 Javelin
- Occupation
- Retired auto mechanic, frmr gov't ntwrk security admin
- Vehicle Showcase
- 3
For "galvanic corrosion" to occur, you must have two dissimilar metals, AND conductive electrolyte solution - something like WATER, must connect the two metals on a regular basis.
Just two metals without the water or conductive "solution" will not produce galvanic corrosion. And - the place where this happens is where the metals meet. The most severe attack happens at the JOINT - where the metals MEET each other. Areas away from the joint aren't impacted greatly.
Hmmm - that hinge doesn't fit, and it's not aluminum.
The ALUMINUM will be eaten first as it's more active than most other metals - such as iron, nickel, etc.
In short, where aluminum meets steel, for there to be galvanic corrosion, there must be an "electrolyte" such as water, and the most active metal will be eaten away faster than the more noble metal. Steel will last, aluminum will be eaten away.
You can see evidence of that in the cars I've worked with - the aluminum sill plates are eaten away while the steel is hardly touched.
Similar for aluminum parts bolted to steel - the aluminum will be pitted, maybe even have a white powdery appearance, the steel - not so much. It won't bubble.
When paired with other metals such as steel, aluminum is the more active or anodic, while the steel or iron, copper and so on are cathodic - less active so won't rust or corrode like the aluminum.
Of the common metals used, only zinc and magnesium are more active or anodic than aluminum.
I do plating, de-rusting using electrolysis, etc. so have an idea which metals will go first.
If those hinges are steel or iron of any sort and that hood is aluminum, then the destruction is on the wrong part for galvanic corrosion. And there's no water present unless his hood is constantly wet. The proof would be removing the hinge and checking the aluminum. If it's not harmed, then......
For the hinge to go first, it would HAVE to be zinc or magnesium, possible, but quite expensive to use those materials over cast steel of some sort.
I hear there is magnesium in Jeeps - isn't that used in the tail gate? Or is that mistaken info?
Just two metals without the water or conductive "solution" will not produce galvanic corrosion. And - the place where this happens is where the metals meet. The most severe attack happens at the JOINT - where the metals MEET each other. Areas away from the joint aren't impacted greatly.
Hmmm - that hinge doesn't fit, and it's not aluminum.
The ALUMINUM will be eaten first as it's more active than most other metals - such as iron, nickel, etc.
In short, where aluminum meets steel, for there to be galvanic corrosion, there must be an "electrolyte" such as water, and the most active metal will be eaten away faster than the more noble metal. Steel will last, aluminum will be eaten away.
You can see evidence of that in the cars I've worked with - the aluminum sill plates are eaten away while the steel is hardly touched.
Similar for aluminum parts bolted to steel - the aluminum will be pitted, maybe even have a white powdery appearance, the steel - not so much. It won't bubble.
When paired with other metals such as steel, aluminum is the more active or anodic, while the steel or iron, copper and so on are cathodic - less active so won't rust or corrode like the aluminum.
Of the common metals used, only zinc and magnesium are more active or anodic than aluminum.
I do plating, de-rusting using electrolysis, etc. so have an idea which metals will go first.
If those hinges are steel or iron of any sort and that hood is aluminum, then the destruction is on the wrong part for galvanic corrosion. And there's no water present unless his hood is constantly wet. The proof would be removing the hinge and checking the aluminum. If it's not harmed, then......
For the hinge to go first, it would HAVE to be zinc or magnesium, possible, but quite expensive to use those materials over cast steel of some sort.
I hear there is magnesium in Jeeps - isn't that used in the tail gate? Or is that mistaken info?
Sponsored
Last edited: