Stainless into Aluminum?

Are you not supposed to put stainless steel bolts or studs into aluminum? I remember hearing about two metals that dont mix but cant remember which two...

Aluminum andStainless bolts have been married together since trhe incarnation of Stainless steel...
It's called boat motors Etc...

They are very hard to separate foter a few years but the aluminum don't react to the stainless or anything like that.

The reall issue behind the stainless bolts is their strength is NOT as good as even a grade 5 bolt.

I've alway's like useing them for asthetic purposes and never for torquing anything over about 35 ft #. I just don't trust them for strength.

As for into aluminum, there's no problems.


FE

Originally Posted by FEandGoingBroke

The reall issue behind the stainless bolts is their strength is NOT as good as even a grade 5 bolt.


FE

HUH? I've got stainless bolts that are stronger and harder than any grade 8 bolt you can buy. You need to change your bolt supplier if your SS hardware is that worthless.

Originally Posted by 1 Bad 88 GT

HUH? I've got stainless bolts that are stronger and harder than any grade 8 bolt you can buy. You need to change your bolt supplier if your SS hardware is that worthless.

I agree, I used these on my engine. ARP | Catalog Nice kit BTW.

I've never used ARP stainless, I mean stainless alone is expensive but ARP stainless is much worse isn't it?

Originally Posted by FEandGoingBroke

I've never used ARP stainless, I mean stainless alone is expensive but ARP stainless is much worse isn't it?

Can be, my motor: ARP Engine Bolt Kits: ARP-554-9601 - summitracing.com - hex

for an FE BB: ARP Engine Bolt Kits: ARP-555-9602 - summitracing.com - hex

Not too bad though, especially considering they ARE polished SS.
VERY corrision resistant. I've been real happy with them.

You can use a galvanized washer under the stainless bolt head to block any galvanic action. Also, clean things well and use antiseize.

Any steel that comes in contact with aluminum can cause a galvanic reaction. Use a copper type antiseize or an anabolic polymer (like loctite). There are some stainless steels that are less reactive than others but the carbon stainless steels that are used for grade 8 and 9 bolts will.
Note: Never use a soft galvanized washer on a grade 8 or harder bolt. Use a washer of the same hardness as the bolt.

FE is right, Stainless is not a very strong metal but to what extent, I don't know. I just know my dad works w/ ever alloy version of it always complains about how soft it is yet how hard it is to work w/.

Yeah 316LL is pretty soft! Thats why our 200 ton press grunts when it bends it.