Yes, I also have cut some of our old swages apart, and can see dark (probably 'rust' colord) lines showing me the strnad pattern, which implies that moisture does make its way down into the swage, as others here seem to have noted to. So I guess that means that we should be using sealant in swage terminals to try to keep the water, and everthing else out ?
From what I have noticed on many occasions, with hardware such as chainplates and tangs, stainless steel does seem to just "corrode from the inside out". One sees the tight pocket of rust on the surface, and starts sanding of wire brushing looking for a crack, usually finds a crack, and with further investigation realizes that much of the mateial in that area is riddled with 'crevice corrosion' or a network of voids 'caves and tunnels' benieth the surface. It has always seemed to me that stainless does just corrode away on its own, but I suppose that really these are the effects of electrolisis.
Like was noted, or swage manufacture, if I remember correctly, tells us to swage dry, is that really the best thing to do. I still think there hasn't been a definate answer. Or mabe this is another typical boat question, with an answer that varies from with region and preference ?
The next question would be what sealant to use, as I have 'heard' that silicone is not good to use with stainless becasue it is corrosive, but the sta lok instructions call for silicone. I typically use a polyurethane when assembling mech fitting, and have not recieved any bad reports ...
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