Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Technical Questions algonquins turned yellow

I don't remember the number any more, but there is a stainless spec'ed for corosive environments.

Stainless does not "rust" as you think of regular steel rusting with a red oxide on the surface that flakes off. If you see red rust it is probably due to some iron particles that have contaminated the surface of the stainless steel and it is these iron particles that are rusting. 304 and 316 are spec'ed for corosive environments.

Stainless actually forms a very thin layer of chromium oxide on the surface. This layer can still be polished, but prevents further oxidation.

Though this layer will not form a protective barrier if chromium/iron steel is submerged in water, and it will rust in this state.

Being in the plastics industry, this is usually caused by not enough UV inhibitor in the formulation. Accelerated environmental aging studies usually bring this to light fairly quickly. The other thing that happens with most organic things (plastics included) is oxidation. If the plastic used here was compounded without it's UV and anti-oxidation package, or not enough of it, that could explain the results seen. Unfortunately this process (compounding) happens well before the plastic pellets get to the injection molder Axiom uses for their speaker housings.


Krylon makes a line of paint for plastics, but this is probably where the warranty would come in to play first.

Scott

no salt water. we are landlocked in indiana and the speakers are under a retractable awning much of the time.

greg

my environment is fairly protected. you can see the two speakers under my pergola in the first pic. for a few months they were in the sun full time and turned very quickly yellow and you could tell from the pattern that it was from the sun. after a few months we put a retractable awning system into the pergola and they are under cover much of the time as seen in the second picture. the pool has an automated cover which is closed 95% of the time and the pool equipment is > 100 ft away.

greg

Great setup Greg, you and Steve must live in the same neighborhood. I'm anxious to hear what Axiom says about the discoloring..

Beautiful home. Have you had any further communication with Axiom?

Looks great Greg! Where do you live (I live in Fishers). Not to thread crap, but I was considering getting a retractable awning. Do you have any web links for what you have?

Regards,
Steve

Me too. After all those years living in Florida, I experienced all too much corrosion. I have to say, that type of "black" hardware will rust anywhere there's moisture. I had assumed when Axiom released the Algonquins......they had stainless hardware.