run al hulls in salt water for quite a few years now... take to the carwash when done, although I can't get under the poly on the bottom of the hull.
Have seen no issues so far. Been doing this a bit over 10 years now IIRC.
If that won't tell how durable aluminum is in a salt environment, nothing will.
Take one of our carrier based warplanes and remove all the corrosion mitigation measures (galvanic, surface attack, etc) from the skins and substructure and see how durable aluminum is in a maritime environment. Crevice corrosion alone would be off the charts. Certainly an extreme case but shows its use in a saline environment has to be vetted thoroughly.
Over 20 years in the salt, from May/June to October:
It sits at anchor except for the occasional storm when it gets pulled out. There are no significant corrosion issues with this hull yet. Stray electrical current and ‘other’ metals need to be contained.
Additionally, the Honda motor it is powered by was taken apart significantly the summer. No bolts were stripped or broken in the process. The flywheel (steel) was severely corroded where water got trapped a few years ago during a near-submersion. Also some of the aluminum in the same are (castings) showed significant pitting. The metal in these areas however were in a constant saltwater bath for over 5 years. Neither the motor nor the hull ever get rinsed except by the rain.
Sometimes, the air you 'let in'matters less than the air you 'let out'.
I believe those original Vega engines were not sleeved. Aluminum is not up to that kind of friction.
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I believe those original Vega engines were not sleeved. Aluminum is not up to that kind of friction.
Yup, they were sleeveless. Now we're pouring the aluminum around the sleeves which are part of the core package.
The cast aluminum in those engines also had a high silicon content and the associated hard particles did not do so well at the cylinder wall. Aluminum alloys have come along way since then as noted.
I believe those original Vega engines were not sleeved. Aluminum is not up to that kind of friction.
Yup, they were sleeveless. Now we're pouring the aluminum around the sleeves which are part of the core package.
The cast aluminum in those engines also had a high silicon content and the associated hard particles did not do so well at the cylinder wall. Aluminum alloys have come along way since then as noted.
We've also learned how to increase the density of the aluminum in areas that require strength.
run al hulls in salt water for quite a few years now... take to the carwash when done, although I can't get under the poly on the bottom of the hull.
Have seen no issues so far. Been doing this a bit over 10 years now IIRC.
If that won't tell how durable aluminum is in a salt environment, nothing will.
Take one of our carrier based warplanes and remove all the corrosion mitigation measures (galvanic, surface attack, etc) from the skins and substructure and see how durable aluminum is in a maritime environment. Crevice corrosion alone would be off the charts. Certainly an extreme case but shows its use in a saline environment has to be vetted thoroughly.
Over 20 years in the salt, from May/June to October:
It sits at anchor except for the occasional storm when it gets pulled out. There are no significant corrosion issues with this hull yet. Stray electrical current and ‘other’ metals need to be contained.
Additionally, the Honda motor it is powered by was taken apart significantly the summer. No bolts were stripped or broken in the process. The flywheel (steel) was severely corroded where water got trapped a few years ago during a near-submersion. Also some of the aluminum in the same are (castings) showed significant pitting. The metal in these areas however were in a constant saltwater bath for over 5 years. Neither the motor nor the hull ever get rinsed except by the rain.
Aluminum oxide is a great corrosion mitigator and forms almost immediately when fresh aluminum is exposed. It helps aluminum watercraft immensely. Add a bunch of fasteners (of dissimilar metal) to a boat hull without any protection measures and things get interesting. Welded aluminum boats are a great thing. Again, the use of aluminum in a saline/chloride environment is not a half hazard implementation. The galvanic relationships have to be identified and one better be on the right side of the cathodic potential. And if critical stresses get added to the mix...then things start happening exponentially.
I believe those original Vega engines were not sleeved. Aluminum is not up to that kind of friction.
Yup, they were sleeveless. Now we're pouring the aluminum around the sleeves which are part of the core package.
The cast aluminum in those engines also had a high silicon content and the associated hard particles did not do so well at the cylinder wall. Aluminum alloys have come along way since then as noted.
We've also learned how to increase the density of the aluminum in areas that require strength.
The primary purpose of going to aluminum was to increase bed payload.
There is likely some minor increase in fuel economy with reduced weight in acceleration. Trucks in general have the aerodynamics of a brick and as such suffer fuel economy tremendously at higher speeds. I have managed a best of 20.5 mpg in my Tundra stuck at 55 mph (220 miles of highway on a high traffic day). At a more normal 70-75 I average 15. That's all aerodynamics. I would expect a lighter truck to do better at 55. After that CD extracts a stiff price.
Regardless, the primary purpose of aluminum was to win the Payload Wars.
I have less of an issue with the F150 AL body than I do with that 2.7l turbo engine (and transmission). Long term durability as well as performance for anyone who actually uses their pickup as a truck are big questions for me. Only time will tell.
Imagine your grave on a windy winter night. You've been dead for 70 years. It's been 50 since a visitor last paused at your tombstone..... Now explain why you're in a pissy mood today.
Government test revealed in todays Dallas Morning News say the F150 extended cabs are a death trap in collision tests. They added a steel shell on the crew cabs.
Government test revealed in todays Dallas Morning News say the F150 extended cabs are a death trap in collision tests. They added a steel shell on the crew cabs.
So much for conjecture, how about some facts? Let's start with the fact that currently the new F-150 COSTS NO MORE TO INSURE than the previous generation truck.
I have less of an issue with the F150 AL body than I do with that 2.7l turbo engine (and transmission). Long term durability as well as performance for anyone who actually uses their pickup as a truck are big questions for me. Only time will tell.
Watch the video -
Then watch out for that new F-150 coming up in your rear view mirror - if it has the 2.7L twin turbo, it's gonna smoke your V8 whatever.
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