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Automotive use of Stainless Steel Fasteners in Aluminum Block

Hi

I am building a small sports car in my spare time and want to know if I can safely use stainless steel bolts to bolt the gearbox etc to the aluminium block.

I realise that this is not an industrial related topic, however, I hope that you will help me as I haven't been able to find any other source to get a definitive answer.

Thanks in anticipation.

John Ewins
- Auckland, New Zealand
November 6, 2008

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Hi, John. Everything is a matter of degree. I wouldn't use stainless fasteners on an aluminum aircraft skin, but I think you'll be good. Although there is a strong difference in electrochemical potential between aluminum and stainless, there seems to be a lot of evidence that (perhaps due to the passive skin on both), it works pretty well in the real world.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
November 6, 2008