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.
