jfkal
Active member
Need some advise. Just got a quote for M6 18mm long Monel screws at 10 USD per piece. I find that pretty expensive. What's the verdict on that?
Monel Screws or Gold?
- Thread starter jfkal
- Start date
ccscott49
Active member
That is expensive! What are you going to use these screws for? If for aluminum why not consider silicon bronze?
jfkal
Active member
I want to use it for toerail and rubrail. Is silicon bronze safe or shall I go for aluminium itself then. The current ones (aluminium) are pulverised after 15 years
ccscott49
Active member
Bronze will be fine, no corrosion problems, they are a lot stronger than ally and not a lot softer than monel. But not as shiny, but that wouldn't bother me. I wouldn't bother with monel at that price.
Plum
Well-known member
What is wrong with stainless steel? Walk arond your local marina and look what is generally used on aluminium toe rails, looking especially at the older boats. You will see that virtually every boat has stainless steel fastenings. Use a good quality sealant arond the screw and under it's head (as well as under the toerail) to insulate the screw as much a possible from the aluminium and you will not have any problems.
jfkal
Active member
Well I just replaced all of my mast fittings. Massive corrosion despite sealant. Just does not work in the tropics.
Plum
Well-known member
Oh dear! Are the fittings stainless steel? If so, what were the old fastenings made of? If you really need monel, could you use rivets instead of screws? I believe rivets are cheaper than screws.
ccscott49
Active member
You cannot effectively insulate the screws from the ally, they will corrode, I've had to drill out quite a few in my time, but not bronze ones!
