Quality engineering and design requires an understanding of material compatibility. Galvanic corrosion (some times called dissimilar metal
corrosion) is the process by which the materials in contact with each other oxidizes or corrodes. There are three conditions that must exist for galvanic corrosion to
occur. First there must be two electrochemically dissimilar metals present. Second, there must be an electrically conductive path between the two metals. And third, there
must be a conductive path for the metal ions to move from the more anodic metal to the more cathodic metal. If any one of these three conditions does not exist, galvanic
corrosion will not occur. Often when design requires that dissimilar metals come in contact, the galvanic compatibility is managed by finishes
and plating. The finishing and plating selected facilitate the dissimilar materials being in contact and protect the base materials from corrosion.
For harsh environments, such as outdoors, high humidity, and salt environments fall into this
category. Typically there should be not more than 0.15 V difference in the "Anodic Index". For example; gold – silver would have a difference of 0.15V being
acceptable.
For normal environments, such as storage in warehouses or non-temperature and humidity controlled
environments. Typically there should not be more than 0.25 V difference in the "Anodic Index".
For controlled environments, such that are temperature and humidity controlled, 0.50 V can be
tolerated. Caution should be maintained when deciding for this application as humidity and temperature do vary from regions
METALLURGICAL CATEGORY
ANODIC INDEX (V)
Gold, solid and plated, Gold-platinum alloy
0.00
Rhodium plated on silver-plated copper
0.05
Silver, solid or plated; monel metal. High nickel-copper alloys
0.15
Nickel, solid or plated, titanium an s alloys, Monel
0.30
Copper, solid or plated; low brasses or bronzes; silver solder; German silvery high copper-nickel alloys;
nickel-chromium alloys
0.35
Brass and bronzes
0.40
High brasses and bronzes
0.45
18% chromium type corrosion-resistant steels
0.50
Chromium plated; tin plated; 12% chromium type corrosion-resistant steels
0.60
Tin-plate; tin-lead solder
0.65
Lead, solid or plated; high lead alloys
0.70
Aluminum, wrought alloys of the 2000 Series
0.75
Iron, wrought, gray or malleable, plain carbon and low alloy steels
0.85
Aluminum, wrought alloys other than 2000 Series aluminum, cast alloys of the silicon type
0.90
Aluminum, cast alloys other than silicon type, cadmium, plated and chromate
