6061 aluminum & saltwater

[gyronutt]

here is what i found i was concerned after my KB-2 went underwater in the Katrina flood in new Orleans. http://www.abc.se/~m10354/publ/alu-corr.htm

[M. Pearce]

gyronutt,
I went for a little job interview quite a few years back with PHI, Petroleum Helicopters Inc. Anyway they were having a problem with corrosion due to flying low over salt water. Those helicopters were in bad shape corrosion wise. Since the craft were not directly in salt spray they didn't know what was going on. Just being in salt air is enough to cause electrolosis is what I told them. I also told them to put some anodes on the helicopters in various places to help stop the corrosion. Well they didn't and you know what? They still have a corrosion problem from Hell. I put anodes on my boats and I have found factory installed anodes on car and truck frames during my salvage business days. Wash it up good with fresh water and get the WD40 out and spray it down. If in doubt, bolt you a little anode on it so the positive charged electric particles can neutralize. 6061 holds up pretty darn well in salt water to begin with. I wouldn't worry too much.


PS. I was in Folsom Louisiana the other day picking up a boat I bought. I almost had time to go down to New Orleans and check things out. Was in a hurry and had a boat behind me so I came on home. You still have those two subaru engines that went under?