aluminum to stainless

huangyhg

aluminum to stainless
is there any problem with galvanic action when i connect aluminum directly to stainless steel?
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jike,
i always use stainless fasteners whenever i am connecting to aluminum. i worked well for me. let me suggest that you use a good grade stainless such as 315 or 316 instead of 304. this does not really say if there is not galvanic action (you need to ask a corrosion engineer).
on a recent project, i designed steel frame, hot dip galvanized, to support stainless steel cooling tower. the tower was rather large.
i learned that galvanized and stainless platform well under dry conditions. however, the minute any water or moisture is introduced, it will create galvanic action. my advice is to use neoprene separators or thick coats of paint between the two materials is you ever encounter such situation.
regards,
lutfi
aluminum and austentic stainless steel are at oppposite ends of the galvaniuz series chart see
rich2001:
i am a little unsure of what you said, but you seem to indicate that it is not good to have stainless and aluminum together. is this correct? would galvanized steel and aluminum be a better match?
lufti:
unfortunately, i don't have access to a corrosion engineer.
for galvanic action to occur, the two dis-similar metals have to be in the presence of an electrolytic fluid.  will the joint you describe stay wet with a fluid that will conduct electricity (like salt water, road spray, etc.)?
if not, you probably don't have a problem.
rmw