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Can zinc plated nuts be used on copper plated studs?

January 2, 2014

Q. Can we use the hot dip galvanized or zinc plated steel nuts and washers (size 3/8") on the copper plated steel welding studs (size 3/8" x 1.5"long)

zinc plated nuts and copper plated studs-1

Victor Li
- Hong Kong

A. Hi Victor.

When school children build "lemon batteries" or "potato clocks" for their science projects, they invariably choose copper and zinc for their two electrodes because the galvanic difference is so great (1.1 volts). There is perhaps no combination of readily available materials that is less galvanically compatible.

Unfortunately, I don't know enough about stud welding to understand why you are using copper plated studs. If the studs are copper plated, then using nickel plated, nickel-chrome plated, or electroless nickel plated nuts and washers would largely eliminate the galvanic differential. Good luck.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
January 2, 2014

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