Anchor Bolts for Booster Pump Pads

Stainless steel would mean dissimilar materials in contact, have you considered the electrolytic effects?

As far as I remember, I always used plain steel bolts, they usually collect a coating of grease, but if they don't, does a little rust hurt? On retrofits of refineries, exterior bolts that had been there for more than twenty five years still worked well, removing the nut gave us a little trouble but then, any bolt would have picked up some crud.

Does the environment that these anchors are to be used in warrant the added cost of using stainless steel? Is the strength of the galvanized anchor not strong enough to do the job? What if any is the difference in life expectancy of the anchors and base plates or pads that they are being used on?

So, let's see. You are predicting and planning for thread damage during what should be a routine pump installation?????????? What's wrong with this picture???????

I'd think metal compatability would dictate what you use. Are your pumps and pads corrosion resistant steel? (There is no such thing as stainless steel)

lynlynch, agree with you but please explain comment no such thing as stainless steel.

"Stainless" is a term that has come into common usage (I use the term myself, in casual conversation) for steels that are corrosion resistant. "Stainless steel will corrode, under the right conditions, so the absolute term "stainless" is technically incorrect.

It's a small point, but one that shouldn't be overlooked.

Cheers.

A drop of oil on the threads when you bolt down the pump, coat it with pait so it looks nice, and let the next guy worry if he has to take it a part.

I agree that stainless is only corrosion resistant. For an embedded anchor, painted steel or hot-dip galvanized steel is good enough.

Stainless Steel vs. Hot dip galvanized anchor bolts is best determined by what they will be exposed to and what its effects on the metal of the bolts would be. If it is acidic, Stainless Steel of the an appropriate composition would probably be best. Somewhat Caustic but not extremely, then steel. Neutral or nearlyso, then zinc coated. For steel or zinc coated smear some NEVER-SIEZE on the threads before assembling the nut on the bolts.

Best solution is to consult the compatability tables to determine what composition is most resiliant to what it will be exposed to.

Good Luck, Old Salt

I have spent the last 30 years in all kinds of mechanical rooms, as well as outdoor installations. Most of those areas are not a very nice places. There is dirt, dust, moisture, grease, layers of paint, etc. This gets worse as time goes on. Go with the stainless! Unless you have a very high concentration of Chlorine in the air.

Galvanized is susceptible to corrosion if the galvanized coating is damaged. So if you have damaged threads; the question is why?, and you run a thread chaser down it. You will probably damage the zinc coating. Stainless does not have that problem.

Any time there is a retrofit of an mechanical room, I have to allow for a welder, to go in and cut the existing galvanized, plated or black fasteners. Never had that problem with stainless. Stainless is rarely used, as most companies are more interested in doing the job as cheep as possible and know that they will not be the ones that have to service and maintain the equipment.

Do the job right, use the slightly more expensive fastener. Use anti-seize compound or a breakable thread locker. "Locktite" has a product for all application's.

You never know, if you are the one down the road who has to work on the system that you installed.

Very simple answer to this.

If there is a chance that corrosive agents will contact the bolts... Stainless Steel.

If not... use galvanized.

If the environment has no specifically corrosive agents, and is only exposed to typical ambient conditions... do not waste the expense of buying stainless. And unless you have seriously undersized the bolt size... or are installing the bolts in something other than a vertical position... I can't imagine that strength of bolt will come into play. Both materials would typically be more than strong enough.

So neither of you is "right". It will always depend on the environmental conditions.

And as far as anally not using the universally accepted term "Stainless" steel, because it is not truly "stainless"... I submit, in that case, that Kleenex should also not be used, because it is not truly "kleen"

Obviously, you did not read, or did not comprehend my remarks.

Go back into your box.