Corrosion of Magnesium with Unpassivated SS

[miketech]

Can an unpassivated Stainless steel plate become passivated when connected to similar-sized magnesium alloy casting in a humid environment? Is it generally undesireable to connect ANY SS to magnesium if the magnesium is load bearing?

 

[EMKWR]

There is a good chance that the magnesium will be corroded in contact with unpassivated stainless steel. I suggest to read the former discussions about aluminium.

Magnesium is one of the least noble metals used. You can even burn it. Edwin Muller
KEMA Power Generation & Sustainables
Arnhem, The Netherlands
E-mail e.f.muller@kema.nl
Internet:

http://www.kema-water.nl

 

[CoryPad]

It is inadvisable to connect any stainless steel to a magnesium alloy if there is a corrosion source and electrolyte. This galvanic couple will result in rapid corrosion/dissolution of the magnesium.

 

[TVP]

If you need to have a SS component in contact with a Mg component, you will need to address the galvanic corrosion potential. Coatings can be used to minimize the problem, but a great deal of attention must be paid to details like anode to cathode ratio, coating damage, etc.