Rivets: Steel or Aluminum?

[SSDiv6]

Originally Posted by FireSale

Yes, but this is more true of stainless steel and aluminum than regular carbon steel and aluminum. Water must be in contact with both metals to create this "battery" effect so I don't really think it's an issue with a race car. Using aluminum rivets on the aluminum panels would mean trading the risk of corrosion for the risk of vibration failure.

You do not need water to create on dissimilar materials; it can be reactive. As an example, when steel fasteners are used to affix Carbon Fiber parts or components, the carbon will cause steel to corrode. The proper way to affix CF parts is to use Titanium fasteners or install steel or aluminum fasteners wet with a Zinc based primer. Depending on the chemistry of the metal, any metal will react with other metals or materials.