The Galvanic Series

A galvanic series table lists metals in the order of their relative activity in a specific environment. The list begins with the more active (anodic) metal and proceeds down the to the least active (cathodic) metal of the galvanic series. A "galvanic series" applies to a particular electrolyte solution, so for each specific solution which is expected to be encountered for actual use, a different order or series will ensue. In a galvanic couple, the metal higher in the series (or the smaller) represents the anode, and will corrode preferentially in the environment. This is the "dissimilar metals" corrosion that is spoken of.

Listed below is the latest galvanic table from MIL-STD-889 where the materials have been numbered according to how they interact in a galvanic couple in a seawater environment. The table is the galvanic series of metals in sea water from Army Missile Command Report RS-TR-67-11, "Practical Galvanic Series."

Most Anodic (#1) Most Cathodic (#92)
  • Magnesium
  • Mg alloy AZ-31B
  • Mg alloy HK-31A
  • Zinc (hot-dip, die

    cast, or plated)

  • Beryllium

    (hot pressed)

  • Al 7072 clad on 7075
  • Al 2014-T3
  • Al 1160-H14
  • Al 7079-T6
  • Cadmium (plated)
  • Uranium
  • Al 218 (die cast)
  • Al 5052-0
  • Al 5052-H12
  • Al 5456-0, H353
  • Al 5052-H32
  • Al 1100-0
  • Al 3003-H25
  • Al 6061-T6
  • Al A360 (die cast)
  • Al 7075-T6
  • Al 6061-0
  • Indium
  • Al 2014-0
  • Al 2024-T4
  1. Al 5052-H16
  2. Tin (plated)
  3. Stainless steel 430 (active)
  4. Lead
  5. Steel 1010
  6. Iron (cast)
  7. Stainless steel 410 (active)
  8. Copper (plated, cast,

    or wrought)

  9. Nickel (plated)
  10. Chromium (Plated)
  11. Tantalum
  12. AM350 (active)
  13. Stainless steel 310 (active)
  14. Stainless steel 301 (active)
  15. Stainless steel 304 (active)
  16. Stainless steel 430 (active)
  17. Stainless steel 410 (active)
  18. Stainless steel 17-7PH (active)
  19. Tungsten
  20. Niobium (columbium)

    1% Zr

  21. Brass, Yellow, 268
  22. Uranium 8% Mo
  23. Brass, Naval, 464
  24. Yellow Brass
  25. Muntz Metal 280
  1. Brass (plated)
  2. Nickel-silver (18% Ni)
  3. Stainless steel 316L (active)
  4. Bronze 220
  5. Copper 110
  6. Red Brass
  7. Stainless steel 347 (active)
  8. Molybdenum, Commercial pure
  9. Copper-nickel 715
  10. Admiralty brass
  11. Stainless steel 202 (active)
  12. Bronze, Phosphor 534 (B-1)
  13. Monel 400
  14. Stainless steel 201 (active)
  15. Carpenter 20 (active)
  16. Stainless steel 321 (active)
  17. Stainless steel 316 (active)
  18. Stainless steel 309 (active)
  19. Stainless steel 17-7PH (passive)
  20. Silicone Bronze 655
  21. Stainless steel 304 (passive)
  22. Stainless steel 301 (passive)
  23. Stainless steel 321 (passive)
  24. Stainless steel 201 (passive)
  25. Stainless steel 286 (passive)
  1. Stainless steel 316L (passive)
  2. AM355 (active)
  3. Stainless steel 202 (passive)
  4. Carpenter 20

    (passive)

  5. AM355 (passive)
  6. A286 (passive)
  7. Titanium 5A1, 2.5 Sn
  8. Titanium 13V, 11Cr,

    3Al (annealed)

  9. Titanium 6Al, 4V (solution treated and aged)
  10. Titanium 6Al, 4V (anneal)
  11. Titanium 8Mn
  12. Titanium 13V, 11Cr

    3Al (solution heat

    treated and aged)

  13. Titanium 75A
  14. AM350 (passive)
  15. Silver
  16. Gold
  17. Graphite