Galvanic corrosion of magnesium with stainless steel 2

[kilkenny]

The link below suggests that there can be a severe galvanic corrosion risk when magnesium is adjacent to stainless steel.

http://www.magnesium.com/w3/data-bank/article.php?mgw=217&magnesium=356

My question is if this is true, does that mean that you should not use a steel or stainless helical insert (helicoil) or staked-in insert such as a keensert in a part made of magnesium? It is standard practice for my group to use stainless inserts when we design similar components using aluminum.

Kilkenny

 

[btrueblood]

For tools and fixtures, used in ambient-temp., dry environments, we used Keenserts (generally steel, but also stainless) and never had trouble. That said, I'd think hard if the aluminum or magnesium part were to be used in moist or marine environments, as the posts last week have pointed out.

 

[btrueblood]

Whoops -- See the posts regarding inserts in aluminum parts in the corrosion engineering section.

 

[CoryPad]

Yes, it is true that severe galvanic attack will occur if magnesium and stainless steel are connected in the presence of an electrolyte. You will need to use other materials or coatings to eliminate this problem.

Regards,

Cory

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

 

[Goahead]

To prevent galvanic corrosion Cadmium is plated on stainless hardware that is inserted in aluminum or magnesium castings.

http://www.welding-advisers.com/