Clad Metals in Automotive Trim Applications

The behavior of stainless clad aluminum automotive trim has been investigated, using modern electrochemical techniques in laboratory and field service tests. Galvanic protection of paint-damaged auto body and the corresponding sacrificial aluminum behavior with this trim material has been observed in a wide number of applications and conditions. The results obtained with stainless clad aluminum automotive trims are compared with those for other trim materials. The results are explained using modern electrochemical theories.