Corrosion Concerns When Installing E-Track On Aluminum Trailer

Updated 01/31/2014 | Published 01/29/2014

Question:

Hello, I was just wondering if installing this e-track on an all aluminum trailer Featherlite would cause any corrosion or electrolysis due to the two different types of metal touching each other. Thanks,

asked by: Scott

Expert Reply:

I did some research online to find out what metals when in contact with each other promote corrosion. Surprisingly, zinc coated steel, like the E-Track Cargo Control track, part # E19148, and aluminum like your trailer would not promote corrosion nearly as fast as most metals when attached to one another per the nobility of metals chart I found online.

As with any metals, the environment plays a major role in the corrosion between metals. If the materials are subjected to a lot of salt spray as on some marine applications, it would definitely corrode faster than if it were in a dry environment. But as far as the two metals creating an electrolysis, the properties of these metals would work together quite well. I would recommend using fasteners that resist corrosion as well.

expert reply by: Jeffrey L