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galvanic corrosion issues with aluminum?

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Dave Kesonie · · Silverton, CO · Joined Sep 2006 · Points: 205

I am thinking about equipping the anchors of some new trad routes with this setup: SS bolt + SS hanger + SS quick-link + SS chain + aluminum bent gate. This works for me because I have all the gear from years past and I have a ton of odd and old aluminum bent gates. I think it's nice to clip a standard bent gate at the anchor and lower off instead of clipping a non-standard size or shape mussy hook or what not. I can maintain the bent gates (swap out after a couple years) because I have a ton that I don't mind using for this purpose. My question is "will the aluminum galvanically corrode with stainless steel?" Any materials engineers or chemists in the room? 

This crag will see very little use in the next twenty to (50?) years. And, when I use up my stainless stash, I will just buy SS Fixe Supershut or SS Fixe chain anchors for the rest of the routes.

slim · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2004 · Points: 1,103

If the crag is going to see very little use i would just leave the biners off.

nbrown · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 7,967

We've done this all over (obscure) crags in NC, where the RH is often in the 90s or greater, with no real problems.

Likely, your 'biners will either be stolen or worn through long before they'll corrode in CO.

Greg Barnes · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 2,197

I've seen aluminum carabiners disintegrating in Thailand, but I think aluminum is also subject to stress corrosion cracking (along with stainless steel). Seems unlikely that you could get galvanic corrosion in Colorado unless you have a salt source in any rock or soil that drains onto the anchor - and even then, a carabiner and chain have very little contact (which moves in the wind).

But all it takes is one jerk and your carabiners get stolen. So set them up to be good for rapping when the carabiners are gone.

Dave Kesonie · · Silverton, CO · Joined Sep 2006 · Points: 205

Okay folks, thanks for the replies. I think I have my answer. Also thanks for the usstainless.com link since I didn't know they existed.

I am locking this topic and closing it out.

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