[Shop-talk] Rivet Steel to Aluminum

[Jim Juhas]

Years ago when I was still in the Air Force (Corrosion Control) we found a table of the galvanic differences between various materials.  I recall that the difference between mild steel and aluminum was minimal whereas between mild steel and stainless steel was significant.  Sort of turned our pre-conceived notions inside out.  We would on occaision repair vehicles other than airplanes, and since aluminum was readily available, it found its way in to a lot of cars, trucks and snowmobiles.  I didn't stay in long enough to see any long term results.
-----Original Message-----

From:  Rush <jdrush at enter.net>
Subj:  [Shop-talk] Rivet Steel to Aluminum
Date:  Sun Jan 13, 2008 1:37 am
Size:  717 bytes
To:  Shop Talk <shop-talk at autox.team.net>

We need to attach powder-coated steel to the outside of a painted 
aluminum truck body. I don't want to set up a galvanic reaction and I've 
never pop riveted anything into aluminum.
-How do we prevent galvanic corrosion?
-Are there special pop-rivets or tools for putting rivet into aluminum?

The truck body is held together with some large diameter rivets, but I 
am guessing they had two-sided access when they assembled it. We only 
have access from one side.

Jon
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