I am building an experimental aircraft (Glasair Super II. The fuel tank is made of vinyl ester resin and e-glass. I need to eliminate static (ie. provide a ground) from the fuel filler caps and also bond aluminum parts interanl to the fuel tank for lightning protection. How much galvanic corrosion can I expect if I use stainless nuts and bolts to connect aluminum parts together? How about stainless screws into aluminum parts? Are there any treatments (alodine?) that may reduce galvanic effects. Fuel is a poor conductor and may not present a problem. However water vapor does find its way into fuel tanks.
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Galvanic corrosion in a fuel tank using stainless to connect aluminum 1
- Thread starter kgearhart
- Start date
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1
- #2
In the marine trades we commonly use stainless
to fasten alu. The grade of stainless is most
important. NICU is the way to go. Alu. by itself
will show electrolsis because of impurities, and
bonding only helps. Any coatings which don't
conduct may lessen the bonding action of the
joint. The major cause of electrolsis at the
joint is caused by its dendency to hold moisture
between the fastener and the fastenee. (ha ha)
Could you coat everything after assembly?
We install lots of poly. fuel tanks in boats.
We connect the filler to the guage sender and
the bonding system (if present) or ground using
copper wire with soldered copper ring terminals
and bronze fasteners.
to fasten alu. The grade of stainless is most
important. NICU is the way to go. Alu. by itself
will show electrolsis because of impurities, and
bonding only helps. Any coatings which don't
conduct may lessen the bonding action of the
joint. The major cause of electrolsis at the
joint is caused by its dendency to hold moisture
between the fastener and the fastenee. (ha ha)
Could you coat everything after assembly?
We install lots of poly. fuel tanks in boats.
We connect the filler to the guage sender and
the bonding system (if present) or ground using
copper wire with soldered copper ring terminals
and bronze fasteners.
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