4
Corrosion Protection:
Corrosion is the deterioration of a metal because of a reaction
with its environment. The products of corrosion vary widely
from the flaky red rust of iron to the relatively benign oxide over
aluminum. In general, corrosion should be avoided or mini-
mized where possible.
There are many types of corrosion, but a particular type called
galvanic corrosion is most important for inserts and fasteners.
Galvanic corrosion occurs when dissimilar metals are in con-
tact in the presence of an electrolytic solution. All metals exhib-
it different degrees of “activity” or “nobility” and can be
arranged in a galvanic series of increasing activity. Gold and
platinum are most noble while zinc and magnesium are most
active. The most common electrolytic solution encountered is
ordinary water. Seawater or salt spray is more damaging
because of high concentrations of dissolved salts.
The best way to preclude galvanic corrosion is to use similar
potential metals and eliminate the electrolyte conductor. The
active stainless steel CoilThread Inserts are not passivated. This
minimizes the possibility of galvanic corrosion occurring when
they are installed in aluminum or magnesium parent materials.
Some additional precautions for reducing galvanic corrosion
are:
1. Isolate the fasteners from the electrolyte. This can be done
through gasketing or sealing.
2. Specify cadmium plated inserts. The cadmium plate pro-
vides a sacrificial barrier against corrosion. In addition, the cad-
mium plate has lubricating properties that minimize galling
when stainless steel screws are used.
3. Apply corrosion inhibiting pastes or compounds to the
screw. These include zinc chromate primer (MIL-P-8585) and
strontium chromate primer (MIL-P-23377). Note: Pastes
applied to the CoilThread Insert can become trapped between
the wire and the hole and cause loss of proper tolerance. It is
therefore recommended to apply the paste only to the screw,
not the insert. If zinc chromate primer is applied to the tapped
hole it should be thinned and applied sparingly. The insert
should be installed while the primer is still wet.
4. Specify a dry film lubricant such as molybdenum disulphide
on the inserts. This provides a secondary barrier against cor-
rosion.
5. Where practical or where it will not interfere with the com-
pleted assembly, the external joint should be coated with a suit-
able paint.
Military, Aerospace &
Commercial Standards
Performance & Features, continued
CoilThread Tanged and Tangless
®
Inserts are precision-
engineered and have been put through rigorous torque,
tension and vibration tests as well as comprehensive
dimensional inspections and metallurgical analysis in
attaining their MIL-Spec qualifications.
CoilThread Inserts have been thoroughly tested by an
independent testing laboratory and are certified to con-
form to NASM8846. Copies of these reports are available
upon request.
In addition, CoilThread Inserts and Tools are in confor-
mance with the following military standards and other
specifications:
Unified Inserts
NASM122076 series* – Insert, Corrosion Resistant
Helical Coil Coarse Thread
NASM124651 series* – Insert, Corrosion Resistant
Helical Coil Fine Thread
MS21208 – Insert-Screw Thread Free Running
(Superceded by MS122076 and
MS124651 series)
NASM21209* – Insert-Screw Thread Screw-Locking
NASM33537 – Assembly and Dimensions,
Helical Coil Inserts
NASM8846* – Inserts, Screw thread, Helical Coil
A-A-59158 – Tools for Inserting and Extracting
Helical Coil Inserts
AS7245 – Insert, Screw Thread, Helical Coil,
Corrosion Resistant Steel
QQ-P-416 – Cadmium Plating (Type II)
- Optional coating
AS5272 – Dry Film Lubricant (Type I)
- Optional coating
NAS1130 – Tangless Inserts, Free-running &
Locking
ASME B18.29.1 – Helical Coil, Screw Thread Inserts -
Free-Running & Locking
Metric Inserts
MA3279 – Inserts, Metric, Free-Running,
Helical Coil, Uncoated
MA3280 – Inserts, Metric, Free-Running,
Helical Coil, Lubricated
MA3281 – Inserts, Metric, Free-Running, Helical
Coil, Cadmium Plated
MA3329 – Inserts, Metric, Locking,
Helical Coil, Uncoated
MA3330 – Inserts, Metric, Locking,
Helical Coil, Lubricated
MA3331 – Inserts, Metric, Locking, Helical Coil,
Cadmium Plated.
MA1565 – Procurement Standard, Metric
Helical Coil Inserts
MA1567 – Assembly Dimensions,
Metric Helical Coil Inserts
* Note: In 1998 and 1999, the Military Specifications (MS) of the same
number were superceded by the NASM specifications.