Tips to Avoid Corrosion on Fasteners

by Saketh Exim Steel & Metal Products Manufacturer

Upon installing a fastener, we expect that fastener to stand the test of time. For projects large and small, fasteners act as the glue that holds together all the pieces to build a structure that has integrity. However, corrosion is an enemy that can threaten that integrity and fasteners manufacturers in India produced the strength of metal fasteners.

Electrochemical corrosion, a problem faced by the majority of cable tray manufacturers, also called as rust, can reduce a fastener’s strength and render it unusable. Choosing the correct material for construction as well as for the fasteners and taking the right steps can help in reducing the chances of corrosion and ensure that the structure remains stable over the long-term.

If corrosion occurs, it demands action and can't just be wished away. That’s why it's vital to take steps for preventing corrosion or to action for replacing the parts if it does occur.

Causes of Corrosion

Corrosion happens when metal’s intrinsic properties start to atrophy. All the metals, including the metal used in fasteners, hold an electric potential. However, each metal has a different level of electric potential. So when two metals interact with moisture or liquid, which is an electrolyte, an electrochemical cell is created, and an electric charge begins to pass between the two metals. This low-intensity galvanic flow starts to degrade the metal that has higher electrical potential than the other.

The higher-potential metals are called as a, and the anode metal’s atoms lose electrons to the lower-potential metal, known as the “cathode” metal. This transfer of electrons leads to the formation of rust in the higher-potential metal. The speed of corrosion is directly proportional to the electric potential difference between the two metals.

So if a fastener made of a high-potential metal is installed in a low-potential metal, the possibility of corrosion increases, unless steps are taken to prevent rust and other corrosion from occurring

Preventing Corrosion

The first step to prevent corrosion is to use insulation, or insulating coatings or paint to seal fasteners that are made of different metal than the material they will be placed upon. These coatings can help limit the occurrence of rust and other corrosion.

It is also vital to make sure that the fasteners are placed in a way that they deliver a constant pressure. A continuous change in the load a fastener bear can accelerate corrosion.

Finally, it is essential to be strategic about the materials that are to be used in manufacturing and construction. The flow of electric charge and the rate of corrosion are higher when flowing from metal with lesser electric potential than to a larger one. So it's best to use fasteners that are similar in electric potential to the materials they are holding together. This will reduce the flow of electric charge, which will then reduce the rate of corrosion.