Stainless Bolts on Bronze Seacock

[Watercolor]

Duncan,

This is probably more info than you need or want, but here goes.

The importer of Blake products is Doug Moody at Saint Brendan's Isle( SBI). He has bolts on hand for the Blake at $5.95 each. SBI is well known in the cruising community for its excellent mail service. We used them for years.

Maine Sail has it right, the most common metal, used by Spartan, Perko, Buck, Groco and Apollo is leaded red brass. That's the term they use along with 85-5-5-5 (% copper-tin-zinc-lead). It's also called composite bronze and Copper Alloy 836.

I believe that the Blake is a specially treated form of red brass (85% copper and 15% zinc.). My understanding is that the metal is super heated in a manner that creates a resistant barrier. However, I don't know how that effects nobility and galvanic action, especially when the different metals are used like in your case.

Confused, I was, but those are the facts.

Bottom line, go with the general consensus and use bronze.

Also, Hamilton Marine is a great place and knowledgeable people, but with Jamestown Distributors just up the street, I'd ask their advice and run with it.

It's amazing how much and how little we know about one of the most important components of our boats.

[gettinthere]

My groco seacocks are bronze with SS ball valves. They include a SS screw to attach the bonding wire. Is all the SS isolated from the bronze?

[s/v Jedi]

I see stainless parts connected to bronze seacocks often and like gettinthere writes the groco seacocks have that stainless ball and screw for bonding. That said, I have never seen a problem between these two metals and think the use of stainless steel under water (or better stated: in an oxygen deprived environment) is the only thing to worry about.

I would use bronze fasteners when it's easy enough to get them.

cheers,
Nick.

[duncan_ellison]

All,

I must admit, I didn't expect such a comprehensive response to this question, but thanks guys, it's much appreciated.

Some of you missed that I'm actually in the UK at the moment helping out a friend on his boat. Silicon / Phosphor Bronze bolts aren't so easy to come by here in small quantities anyway, but I have located an online source in case anyone else needs them : Home - Seaware: Marine equipment and fastenings specialists

So, I did the right thing and went with these. Back in the boat now, looks great and peace of mind.

Duncan

[barnakiel]

My educated guess is SS/bronze is OK.

The education is never having problems with such a combo.

BTW You can have bronze fasteners machined no matter what, if you have the material.

I would listen to Jedi here on tef-gel, plastic washers, etc. and go for SS, unless the bronze thing is easy to obtain for you.

barnie

[egemen]

if you want to use bronze fasteners contact to cenovamakina.com
you can find all bronze and ss fasteners

[perchance]

There is a table available somewhere (it escapes me at the moment) showing the relative nobility of various metals from most to least noble. It would be a handy chart to have when deciding which metals get along and which don"t.

[egemen]

Originally Posted by perchance

There is a table available somewhere (it escapes me at the moment) showing the relative nobility of various metals from most to least noble. It would be a handy chart to have when deciding which metals get along and which don"t.

ı dont understand because my englısh not good yet.
please explain basic.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by perchance

There is a table available somewhere (it escapes me at the moment) showing the relative nobility of various metals from most to least noble..

The Galvanic Series (galvanik diziler ?) ➥ Galvanic series