PaddleWise by thread

From: Mel Lammers <mslammers_at_earthlink.net>
subject: [Paddlewise] Rusting Stainless Steel (was Skeg VS. Rudder)
Date: Wed, 12 Apr 2000 08:15:43 -0400 (EDT)
To reinforce what Ralph said below:
Stainless steel is a solution of chrome, steel, and nickel (general formula) and in the final matrix (yes the solution when cooled, precipitates the components), there are literal spaces in the junction of the metals (tiny though).  Boundry or crevice corrosion can occur at the boundry.  I have seen shampoo in a 20000 lb tank "rust" a hole through 316 stainless (one of the more corrosion resistant stainless steels).  What stainless does is give you some corrosion resistance such as overnight or other short term so you can clean things up.  Clean water with drying and light oil, wax, silicone or other polymer is the best.  Helps if the water is hot. :-)  It also helps if the water is not acid but slightly alkaline or buffered (like with bicarb dissolved).
YMMV (your mileage may vary)




Ralph Diaz Wrote:

Mark, stainless steel rusts badly in a KAYAKING marine environment. I 
have all sorts of stainless steel things I can show you with 
considerable rust and corrosion. My sheath knife, fittings for sailing, 
etc. Also aluminum unless of marine grade or heavily anondized will 
also pit or corrode. This ain't from no tome. 

ralph
=^..^=
--Mel--
Mel Lammers
E-Mail: mslammers_at_earthlink.net
Homepage: http://melskayakpage.homestead.com
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not
to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************
From: Ferdinand Soethe <F.SOETHE_at_oln.comlink.apc.org>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Rusting Stainless Steel (was Skeg VS. Rudder)
Date: Thu, 13 Apr 2000 06:34:09 +0000
Zur Nachricht vom 12. Apr 00 12:15

This is really an interesting topic. I've had a ss Swiss Army knife for 
years that never rusted in kayak use without special care. Then we bought a 
Leatherman Wave, took it on a Caribeean trip and after just two days in 
salt water the thing was crusted in salt to the point of being unusable. 
The Swiss Army knife that also came along was still spotless 4 weeks later.

My conclusion: There are very different qualities in stainless steel and 
leatherman doesn't seem to use one that is suitable for salt water.

And of course: I'm also interested in suggestions for cleaning up. The 
dealers suggestion to rinse it after each use seems not quite feasible for 
a kayak environment.

Regards,
Ferdinand

------------------------------------------------------------------
Ferdinand Soethe              o,    o__              o_/|   o_.
Wollkaemmerei 8              </     [\/              [\_|   [\_\
D-30519 Hannover          (`-/-------/----')      (`----|-------\-

ph +49-511-9845437 mobile +49-171-1403591 email f.soethe_at_apc.de 
-------------------------------------------------------------------
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not
to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************

This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:33:12 PDT