rivets

[solitairenc]

Is there a particular reason some one would use steel rivets to hold the skin on the bottom of an Airstream? I'm doing a shell on front room floor replacement and after getting the inside gutted and torn down as much as possible I started on the bottom and found steel rivets holding the belly pans to the frame? Weird or right?

[GMFL]

No reason to use steel rivets.

[Wrangler]

I would not use steel rivets, especially low on the trailer where it could be exposed to road salt; the dissimilar metals will probably cause corrosion of the aluminum.

[solitairenc]

That's what I thought too. Going back with aluminum when floors done, still think he was a little short of brain cells.

[cwf]

Might have done that because the aluminum kept breaking! Not right.. but, hey, "I won't ever have to deal with it again.. let the next sap handle it.."

[solitairenc]

Well guess I'm that sap. Also found extra cross bracing that will get extracted because of no seen purpose.

[Ray Eklund]

Dissimilar Metals in Contact: Hot-dip galvanized steel is well suited for use in a variety of environments and fabrications, and sometimes is placed in contact with different metals including, among others, stainless steel, aluminum, copper and weathering steel.

In High School Chemistry the teacher spoke about Cathode and Anodes. Guys liked the idea of attaching a metal that would give up electrons, rather than our automobile metal and finishes into various iron corrosion/rust.

Some interesting reading on a Google Search. A stronger steel rivet may be a wise choice, but the pros and cons can be found. Artificial hip hardware may be acceptable. Someone may already know the answer.

The Airstream frame is Steel or Iron alloy. So....? Where do you go from there? Salt used on icy roads will eat your Airstream faster than steel rivets... in my opinion.

Use these 'free electrons' to charge your cell phone?

[Ray Eklund]

Post #7: First paragraph information can be found at Dissimilar Metals in Contact. This is where this information comes from. This is great information from the American Galvanizers Association.

Search: Dissimilar Metals in Contact with Galvanized Steel to get started.

People Also Ask: What kind of screws to use with aluminum.

Galvanic Corrosion between Galvanized Steel and Aluminum- finishing

The subject is easily googled. OK. If anyone is seriously interested... when you find the answer you wanted... let everyone know.

Giving up some Electrons is a terrible thing to let your trailer... corrode, when you could have done something simple.

[Mattirs]

Originally Posted by Ray Eklund

Use these 'free electrons' to charge your cell phone?

They just got should we not allow them at least a short vacation?

Thanks
Matti

[Ray Eklund]

Originally Posted by Mattirs

They just got should we not allow them at least a short vacation?

Thanks
Matti

******
I have had a number of loose galvanized screws and loose electrons... for decades.

Zinc, not plastics, is the secret to sharing electrons with Salt and Corrosive snow removal.

If trailers, boats or vehicles were built to... last, there would be changes in the way they are assembled and protected from corrosion. But why? People will sell their corroded model and purchase a new, not corroded model.

Seeburg 1950's jukeboxes had indestructible aluminum trim... but not used by Airstream. Must be an engineering hurdle from fifty years ago.

Much like when French Royalty used Aluminum Flatware, as only the RICH could afford such a difficult metal to extract from common, crusty aluminum ores.

Now we have throw away aluminum beer cans.

What's next? Piles of Airstreams to be crushed and recycled into Bowlus Road Chiefs?

Save your Airstream with Atomic #13 alternatives to exchange electrons that are disposable and replaceable from less desirable metals.

No... gold is not one. But I may work out something with you in exchange. I may be short of Zinc, but not Crazy. Yet.

[solitairenc]

If everything was indestructible we wouldn't ever need but one. Kind of like what else I've found on my Airstream like why use power rivets for concrete to hold down the front plywood sheet?