The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing since 1989
  

  -----

Does electrolysis occur between aluminum and other metals

Does aluminum interact with steel, such as an aluminum window frame to steel studs, the same as other disimilar metals? As an architect, I have seen aluminum window details where the window is secured to metal studs or adjacent and touching zinc coated casing beads. Do coatings help prevent electrolysis?

Stephen Hill
architect - Memphis, Tennessee, USA
2004

The short answer is yes. The rate of corrosion will depend on which metals are mated and the environment. Coatings will help, but galvanic action will occur and eventually cause some form of blemish.

How long that will take and what the result will look like is very dependent on environmental variables like moisture.

That doesn't help you much, but its all true...

Jeff Watson
- Pearland, Texas
2004

---

My question is when using a galvanized metal cleat to install a coated aluminum coping does electrolysis occur. and if the aluminum is mill finish what happens?

Thanks,

Salvatore Rinaldi
- Mableton, Georgia
2004