Many parts stores carry copper crush washers in various sizes.
Any metulurgists out there who can comment on the galvanic potential difference and the impact on corrosion, etc, for an aluminum vs copper washer between the following bolt and case/pipe combinations:
al to al (coolant pipe washers)
steel to al (transmission drain/fill plugs)
steel to steel (oil pan drain plug)
(From my career in telecommunications equipment electronics design, on anything exposed to weather the mechanical engineers would have never used an aluminum washer between with steel bolts and steel metalwork because of severe corrosion issues. The cabinets & enclosures had to survive 20 years in harsh coastal salt fog environments. Hence, my curiousity on this topic.)
Also, with a possible difference in hardness, would copper affect the tightening torque? I've seen/used copper washers on non-NSX/Honda oil pans that use lower tightening torques, and they worked well. Would the copper creep under pressure from the higher tightening torque?
I've always gone with the aluminum for my NSX, but it sure is convenient and cheaper picking up a pack of copper washers at a local parts store.
Frank
'91 NSX-T, red/tan
Any metulurgists out there who can comment on the galvanic potential difference and the impact on corrosion, etc, for an aluminum vs copper washer between the following bolt and case/pipe combinations:
al to al (coolant pipe washers)
steel to al (transmission drain/fill plugs)
steel to steel (oil pan drain plug)
(From my career in telecommunications equipment electronics design, on anything exposed to weather the mechanical engineers would have never used an aluminum washer between with steel bolts and steel metalwork because of severe corrosion issues. The cabinets & enclosures had to survive 20 years in harsh coastal salt fog environments. Hence, my curiousity on this topic.)
Also, with a possible difference in hardness, would copper affect the tightening torque? I've seen/used copper washers on non-NSX/Honda oil pans that use lower tightening torques, and they worked well. Would the copper creep under pressure from the higher tightening torque?
I've always gone with the aluminum for my NSX, but it sure is convenient and cheaper picking up a pack of copper washers at a local parts store.
Frank
'91 NSX-T, red/tan