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Will galvanic corrosion take place in air

One of our customer is looking to build a telecom enclosure out of plastic... to reduce cost and weight... The system has to pass the EMI/EMC requirements for telecom industry. Our solution: lets metallize the plastic, Aluminum seems to be the most affordable. One problem, the cover of the enclosure has to be silver plated. The Al and silver has to be in electrical contact to solve the EMI issue, but what will the galvanic corrosion do to this electrical contact? This application will sit in an office environment, so no water involved, and from what I understand of galvanic corrosion 2 different metals in air should not be an issue since there is no ionized solution... Is it a safe assumption or am I forgetting a few variables?

Sebastien Fournier
Mechanical Engineer - Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
2004

Mr Fournier ,

Moisture is an essential element for Galvanic Corrosion. Check humidity levels, a one year statistic, and you will have your direction.

Regards,

Asif Nurie [deceased]
- New Delhi, India
With deep regret we sadly advise that Asif passed away on Jan 24, 2016
2004

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It should be OK for the foreseeable future as long as there isn't an increase in the RH resulting in water precipitation. This would not be expected in an office environment (Hopefully!)

Trevor Crichton
R&D practical scientist
Chesham, Bucks, UK
2004