Corrosion is the deterioration of a metal because of a reaction with its environment. The products of corrosion vary widely, from the flaky red dust of iron to the relatively benign oxide over aluminum. In general, corrosion should be avoided or minimized where possible.
There are many types of corrosion, but a particular type called galvanic corrosion is most important for inserts and fasteners. Galvanic corrosion occurs when dissimilar metals are in contact in the presence of an electrolytic solution.All metals exhibit different degrees of "activity" or "nobility" and can be arranged in a galvanic series of increasing activity. Gold and platinum are most noble, while zinc and magnesium are most active. The most common electrolytic solution encountered is ordinary water. Seawater or salt spray is more damaging because of high concentrations of dissolved salts.
The best way to preclude galvanic corrosion is to use similar potential metals and eliminate the electrolyte conductor.
The active stainless steel CoilThread® Insert are not passivated. This minimizes the possibility of galvanic corrosion occurring when they are installed in aluminum or magnesium parent materials.
Some additional precautions for reducing galvanic corrosion are:
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