Titanium Centerboard Pivot Bolts ?

[off-the-grid]

I just had a bolt break on me, probably because it was stainless, which isn't really stainless when permanently submerged in a limited circulation oxygen deprived environment.

So, I've started to try to track down silicone bronze to replace both bolts, when someone mentioned titanium.

I know you really can't get much more corrosion resistant than titanium. But does it require air/circulation the same as SS or can it be permanently submerged? It is also more brittle then SS and I think bronze, which could be an issue.

What do you think?

[GordMay]

Although titanium, like S/S, requires some oxygen to form it's protective oxide film, I think it would do well in your application.

Titanium's corrosion resistance is due to a stable, protective, strongly adherent oxide film, which forms instantly when a fresh surface is exposed to air or moisture.
(Titanium has a very strong affinity for oxygen)

The oxide film formed on titanium is more protective than that on stainless steel, and it often performs well in environments, such as seawater, wet chlorine, & organic chlorides, that cause pitting and crevice corrosion in stainless. While titanium is resistant to these media, it is not immune, and can be susceptible to pitting and crevice attack at elevated temperatures. It is, for example, not immune to seawater corrosion if the temperature is greater than about 110 deg. C.

[Sailmonkey]

So as Gord puts it.....It'd be great for a pivot pin unless you're sailing on a sea of boiling water

[cdennyb]

cha-ching$$$

[off-the-grid]

Originally Posted by cdennyb

cha-ching$$$

True, but bronze ain't all that cheap either when you're only buying 2 screws.