Aluminum rings on a steel base

I've read all sorts of conflicting theories on mixing metals. One says AL rings to steel base is fine but steel rings to AL base is no good 'cause of expansion differences.

Personally, I never really payed much attention to that stuff. I don't know what to believe but I'm sure interested to hear what others think.
 
I doubt it will make much difference from the minute amount of thermal expansion.

And it's not like corrosion will be an issue.

Edit: looked up the expansion. Aluminum is around double the rate of expansion as steel, but keep in mind it expands 0.0000122 inches per degree as opposed to 0.0000067 inches per degree.

Even a 40 degree temp change with aluminum will only expand / contract 0.00022" more than steel in an inch of material.
 
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HuntersStand said:
I've heard it's best to have a matching alloy for rings and bases but would aluminum rings mounted on a steel base be OK?
Click to expand...

It does not make enough difference to matter. Assuming BOTH are properly finished, such as good quality anodizing of aluminum and the same 100 coverage if the steel is blued, phosphated or in our case salt bath nitrided.
The expansion differences as already pointed out are infinitesimally small and as long as dissimilar metals are well covered there is no galvanic action going to occur.
 
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