Dennis59
Structural
- Dec 29, 2000
- 56
Hello,
I am investigating a very old clarifier mechanism in a gravity thickener tank. The unit was probably built in the 1970's. There are no shop drawings or records of construction. The mechanism is basically welded steel trusses made from small carbon steel angles, 1/4 inch thick. There are places where the members were bolted together, and many of these bolts are corroding away - just on the head side of the bolt. This in spite of the fact that the material in the steel angles is more or less intact. I have no idea what the bolts are made from - it is steel of some kind, not stainless. Have any of you experts seen a situation like this? Any ideas why the bolts might be corroding faster than the steel angles? If I were to replace the bolts, would 316 stainless be a good choice or would that induce corrosion in the steel angles? Anyone with experience with fiberglass bolts?
Thank you!
I am investigating a very old clarifier mechanism in a gravity thickener tank. The unit was probably built in the 1970's. There are no shop drawings or records of construction. The mechanism is basically welded steel trusses made from small carbon steel angles, 1/4 inch thick. There are places where the members were bolted together, and many of these bolts are corroding away - just on the head side of the bolt. This in spite of the fact that the material in the steel angles is more or less intact. I have no idea what the bolts are made from - it is steel of some kind, not stainless. Have any of you experts seen a situation like this? Any ideas why the bolts might be corroding faster than the steel angles? If I were to replace the bolts, would 316 stainless be a good choice or would that induce corrosion in the steel angles? Anyone with experience with fiberglass bolts?
Thank you!