Separating Aluminium and steel??

[Chris Hays]

Im planning on installing some diamond plate aluminium fill panels on the sides of my 17ft trailer to fill in the gaps infront of and behind the fenders, (as originaly came fitted to the trailer). Ive restored this trailer so it is painted well, but i know that steel and aluminium will react with each other over time so im wondering whether the paint will act as a good enough barrier or should i put something between them before i rivet the panels in?? Any thoughts??

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Separating Aluminium and steel??

It's called a bitumous coating. We use a lot of it at our work to isolate aluminum from steel structures

See Linky:

www.fabral.com/technical/Substrate-Dissimilar_Metals.pdf


Ian

 

[Ram58]

Re: Separating Aluminium and steel??

Rubber gasket material will also work. You can buy it in sheets from supply houses such as McMaster-Carr.

 

[Chris Hays]

Re: Separating Aluminium and steel??

It's called a bitumous coating. We use a lot of it at our work to isolate aluminum from steel structures

See Linky:

www.fabral.com/technical/Substrate-Dissimilar_Metals.pdf


Ian

Very informative!! Thanks. Think i will go the tape or gasket route as i don't really want to paint anything, (already tired of painting this trailer:redface,any suggestions on some form of separating tape??

 

[Captn Dave]

Re: Separating Aluminium and steel??

Teflon tape would do the trick. It's used in aerospace applications but it may be hard to find and might also be expensive.

How about vinyl electrical tape?

 

[RollingWanderer]

Re: Separating Aluminium and steel??

I'm not sure how your panels are cut, but some strips of rubber cut from bicycle or tractor tire tubes could do a fine job of keeping things isolated.
-RW

 

[TBarCYa]

Re: Separating Aluminium and steel??

One problem is that you're going to make an electrical connection between the parts with the rivets regardless of what you put between the pieces and it's that electrical connection that will allow the galvanic corrosion. Your best bet may be to make your filler panels from steel diamond plate and paint them or just add a couple anodes.