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When metals contact each other under moist conditions, a voltage may be generated, depending on the metals (galvanic reaction; remember the copper and zinc battery in school?) If the metals touch each other, a current is generated which will corrode one of them. This table shows how common construction metals react when in contact with one other under moist conditions.

How Metals React On Contact

Materials

Aluminum

Brass

Bronze

Copper

Galv. Steel

Iron or
Steel

Lead

Stainless
Steel

Zinc

Aluminum

OK

NG

NG

NG

OK

?

?

OK

OK

Copper

NG

?

?

OK

?

NG

?

NG

NG

Galv. Steel

OK

?

?

?

OK

?

OK

?

OK

Lead

?

?

?

?

OK

OK

OK

?

OK

Stainless Steel (active)

OK

NG

NG

NG

?

?

?

OK

NG

Zinc

OK

NG

NG

NG

OK

NG

OK

NG

OK

Legend

OK = will not corrode

? = may corrode

NG = will corrode

Example: the brass and aluminum intersection shows as NG (No Good), therefore corrosion will develop (the aluminum will be eaten away), so aluminum should not be fastened using brass screws (use OK stainless steel screws instead).


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