Expert: Stuart Jon Ell - 4/24/2001

Question
Hello. For a college project, I am making a mini push scooter. The materials are aluminium and steel. I have been informed by college tutors that "Electrolysis is something I should think about". The scooter is only designed to last 2 or 3 years. Would electrolysis be an important factor to think about, and if so, what is the solution.
Many thanks.

Answer
Electrolysis is a very misunderstood process. If they want you to think about it, you should; but it has nothing to do with your scooter. Look it up in Webster's.

Your tutors are meaning to refer to galvanic corrosion, which is created by connecting disimilar metals. When the connected metals are in an electrolyte, corrosion will proceed due to the different energy (voltage).

Unless you plan on using the scooter in rainy weather, you will not generally have an electrolyte sufficient to corrode your scooter.

For point of information, the steel would be cathodic (protected) to the aluminum which would be anodic (corrode)