[Dave Emond]

My RV is hangared at the coast. Is it worthwile installing stainless steel screws, or should I stick with the cad plated screws and replace them when necessary. Interested to hear what experience RV owners have had in corrosive enviroments.

Dave
RV10
South Africa

 

[Mel]

Stick with AN.

Cad plated hardware actually has less galvanic effect on aluminum than stainless. Stick with the AN hardware.

 

[SvingenB]

In a corrosive environment (salty and humid/wet atmosphere), stainless steel will corrode aluminum due to galvanic reaction. If you mount SS bolts and nuts, the aluminum in the aircraft will corrode instead of the nuts and bolts. It is much easier to replace a bolt than a panel, therefore it is best to stick with ordinary (non SS) bolts and nuts.