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Corrosion of Cad Plated Rivets on Unplated Steel

Hi all,

Plating is not my strongest area, and I would like some advice. I am reworking 250+ zinc plated mild steel thin plate brackets by increasing the diameter of a hole which a rivet goes into. The holes are significantly undersized and thus the rivets will not fit unless it is opened up. Problem is that the bracket is plated, but when I open the hole on a mill the inside diameter surface area will be unplated mild steel. The rivets to be used are cadmium plated, and I am wondering if that will be sufficient to prevent any form of corrosion (galvanic?) to occur between the contacting surfaces. Will I need to apply a chemical conversion coating or some media in between to help prevent the possibility of corrosion. Your help is greatly appreciated.

-VM

Victor M.
Mechanical Engineer - Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
March 23, 2011