What Is Galvanic Corrosion and How Can It Be Prevented?

Marine construction specialists, boat builders, contractors, retailers, as well as hardware and industrial suppliers all need to be aware of galvanic corrosion and how it can best be avoided. We investigate below.

So, What is it?

Galvanic corrosion is essentially an electro-chemical process where two different metals or alloys ultimately corrode due to coming into electrical contact with each other in the presence of an electrolyte under the conditions of a corrosive environment. The most common type of galvanic corrosion is the rusting of iron.

There are a variety of factors that can influence the severity of galvanic corrosion. For example, high temperatures and high humidity can make it worse, as can the degree of contact between the two different metals or alloys.

How Can it be Prevented?

The good news is that there are steps that one can take in order to prevent, or at least lessen the chances, of galvanic corrosion taking place. Here are our top tips:

• Stop the metals / alloys from coming into direct contact with one another by separating them using a good insulator, such as plastic.
• Stop the metals / alloys from coming into direct contact with one another by separating them with a thick layer of grease.
• Consider electroplating with noble metals that are more corrosion resistant, such as silver or nickel.
• Protect both metals / alloys by using another metal with the ability to act as sacrificial cathode. The best options for this are zinc and aluminum.

Here at Marsh Fasteners, all of our products have been designed to provide the utmost in galvanic corrosion resistance, therefore ensuring excellent value for money, longevity, and peace of mind. For more information about our product range, or if you have any further questions, do not hesitate to get in touch with our team.