Metal Health

Have you ever wondered why some stainless-steel fittings rust while others remain shiny? Would aluminum be suitable for a freshwater tank? Naval brass sounds admirable, but does it hold up well underwater?

In this column, we will look into the pros and cons of various metals for the marine environment. This article will not delve into hull materials and boat construction, but rather the metal components that all boats rely upon.

All of these metals consist of alloys, which are mixtures of metals that produce a stronger and more durable result than the pure element. The mixing of alloys can be traced all the way back to 4500 B.C., beginning an era that evolved into the Bronze Age. During this time, humans learned how to alloy copper and tin into bronze, producing major advances in tools and weapons.

BRONZE

It all started with bronze, so let’s begin there. Pure copper