Stainless steel splash zone corrosion

[TQA]

I have a telescopic boarding ladder which is left in the [sea ] water for long periods. I have observed heavy pitting on one leg and a small hole has developed in the other in little more than a year.

Is there any way of protecting the ladder from this?

Is there any point in fitting a zimc anode?

Any ideas?

 

[David2452]

Can't hurt, you may find a small propshaft one that will fit over the tubing nicely to make life easy. what do you have to lose apart from the cost of an anode, it has to be worth a try and should help. One of the problems of even good SS underwater is it can't develop and maintain a protective oxide layer.

 

[vyv_cox]

Heavy pitting suggests it to be a 304 stainless rather than a 316. Unfortunately pitting (and crevice corrosion) is the result of self-generated galvanic corrosion that will not be protected by an anode. It seems an odd thing to do but painting it is the best protection in this case.

 

[TQA]

Heavy pitting suggests it to be a 304 stainless rather than a 316. Unfortunately pitting (and crevice corrosion) is the result of self-generated galvanic corrosion that will not be protected by an anode. It seems an odd thing to do but painting it is the best protection in this case.

Thanks I did get some referance stuff off the internet that suggested paint but as it is a telescopic ladder I think the paint will get scraped off every time I collapse it.

I guess I can keep a little pot of clear glaze and paint that on every time I deploy it for a long time.

 

[Seajet]

TQA,

if we don't hear from you for a while we'll know it didn't work !

Just a thought, would powder coating be an idea to have done over the winter, or would that not fit in the telescoping parts - it's very thin but durable...?

 

[TQA]

TQA,

if we don't hear from you for a while we'll know it didn't work !

Just a thought, would powder coating be an idea to have done over the winter, or would that not fit in the telescoping parts - it's very thin but durable...?

As I swim from the boat most days and could not get back on board if the ladder failed and the dink was up it is something I need to work on.

I guess powder coating is an option but I think the only place I can get that done is Trinidad.

BTW where I cruise winter does not happen!