Bolts to use on aluminum 1

[WARose]

I am looking to bolt two pieces of aluminum together....but I don't want to use aluminum bolts. I'd like to use steel bolts....but there is (of course) the risk of corrosion from the dissimilar materials. Is there something I could coat the bolts with to keep the galvanic corrosion from happening? Maybe just plain old paint?

 

[hokie66]

I'm not an expert, but have seen stainless steel bolts, not sure of the grade, used to bolt structural aluminum.

 

[WARose]

I always thought the anodic index difference was too great between stainless and aluminum for them to be used together....but I am not sure.

 

[Rabbit12]

We use SST all the time for aluminum connections. 304 or 316 depending on the location. I actually think aluminum and stainless are very close on the galvanic reaction scale so it's not too much of an issue.

 

[Aesur]

Page I-B-59 (141/588) of ADM 2005:

 

[WARose]

Thanks Aesur.

 

[XR250]

My jet ski used SS bolts in aluminum bits and there was very little galvanic corrosion - even in salt water