🔍 Key Concepts

• Galvanic corrosion between dissimilar metals (steel and aluminum) in a marine environment • How thermal conductivity and melting point of aluminum compare with steel in a fire situation • How designers handle physical connections between dissimilar metals on ships (insulation, bonding, or direct attachment)

💭 Think About

• Think about what happens when aluminum and steel are in direct contact in saltwater. Which metal tends to corrode faster in a galvanic couple, and where would you expect the worst damage? • Consider fire: does aluminum conduct heat more or less than steel, and does that make it better or worse at stopping the spread of fire by conduction? • Shipbuilders know steel and aluminum behave differently. How would they typically design the joint between them to reduce both corrosion and structural problems?

✅ Before You Answer

• Verify which statement reflects standard ship construction practice for attaching aluminum to steel in a marine environment. • Check which option incorrectly describes fire behavior in aluminum vs steel structures. • Check which choice correctly addresses the corrosion risk location when steel and aluminum are joined on a vessel.