Steel Fasteners in Brass

[dampfmann]

Quick question. Is there any reason to avoid using steel screws to fasten brass stock?

Thanks,

Marty

[10KPete]

No.

Pete

[johnfreese]

One exception: if it is in a wet environment you can xpect electrolysis and atmospheric corrosion of the steel.

[Glenn Brooks]

I like to use stainless machine screws with brass or bronze fittings, particularly when outfitting boats in salt water. No rust this way.

Glenn

[neanderman]

I would second Glenn's comment -- use SS. It won't cost much more and the likelihood of corrosion due to electrolytic action is much less.

[Harold_V]

If your choice is stainless, it's a good idea to use an anti-seize lubricant when assembling. Stainless is notorious for seizing.

H

[rkcarguy]

I second...well I guess 3rd, the use of stainless fasteners in brass. A word of warning from much boat experience, some anti-seizes contain metals and will actually worsen the condition. For example the anti-seize with copper in it, will basically turn an aluminum outdrive casting with a steel bolt into a battery and corrode the heck out of everything. You'll likely never get the bolt out again. In this instance, copper, brass, and stainless are pretty close to each other on the galvanic chart and you should be ok as long as it's not going for a swim in salt water. I use grease or beeswax on the fasteners on my boat that are submerged.

[Bill Shields]

I guess the real question to be asked here is:

Under what conditions is the metal going live?

THEN you can have a reasonable set of responses.

FWIW: consider the future and the drilling out a small SS screw is a LOT HARDER than drilling out one made of brass.

[dampfmann]

I certainly hope my locomotive does not find itself in any marine conditions! I think it sounds like ss is a safe bet. Also, I have found a greater variety of screw lengths in ss compared to brass. Thanks.

[neanderman]

I think it sounds like ss is a safe bet. Also, I have found a greater variety of screw lengths in ss compared to brass. Thanks.