This message is from: "Glen MacGillivray" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Hi. Geeze, I didn't think that my background in metallurgy would fit in with this group. Here goes a little blurb on electrolytic corrosion: Pretty much all corrosion is electrochemical in nature. If we just look at oxidation, then some metals 'like' oxygen more than others. The ones that have less attraction to oxygen are considered 'nobler' than others. Given that background, you need to know that three common metals (copper, iron and aluminum) are very different in how they attract oxygen. Aluminum is the most reactive of the three, and copper the least. Stated differently, copper is the more noble. Contact between dissimilar metals is a near guarantee that the more reactive (less noble) metal will corrode, especially in the presence of a conductor of ions (like water). So, aluminum in contact with copper or iron (steel is an alloy of iron and carbon) is a no-no. As an aside, there is a technology employing this phenomenon to protect ship hulls Magnesium sacrificial anodes are attached to the ship hull, and they corrode in the sea water instead of the hull. For what it's worth, aluminum pots should always be scoured with a steel wool pad as part of cleaning, as aluminum tends to corrode by pitting and scouring increases the area of attack to where the thin protective oxide natural on aluminum can protect it properly. To protect the aluminum trailer you want to electrically insulate it from the steel frame and from the stainless steel bolts. Wrapping things in plastic, rubber or even paper will do it. End of corrosion. Horses are fine.. Glen ----- Original Message ----- From: Sarah Vogeley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: September 30, 1999 11:18 PM Subject: Re: Aluminium Trailers > This message is from: "Sarah Vogeley" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > Dave; How fascinating! Could you elaborate on what "electrolysis" is, and > how it will detrimentally affect the aluminium skin trailer type? Thank > you, > > Sarah Vogeley > New Forest Farm > Charlottesville, Virginia > > ---------- > >From: " Dave McWethy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >To: "FjordList" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >Subject: Aluminium Trailers > >Date: Mon, Aug 31, 1998, 11:08 PM > > > > > My understanding on aluminum is that any contact with steel will create > > electrolysis. Wherever they are next to each other they should be separated > > by a sheet of plastic, and connected by stainless steel bolts. So in this > > sense, all aluminum would be better. >
