I know you need (are told to use) carbon paste when you fit an ali seatpost in a carbon frame, but would you need it when using a carbon stem on an ali steerer?

Just looking at a few things and the thought just popped into my head.

Yes. As it increases grip it reduces how tight you need to torque the bolts but just as importantly it prevents galvanic corrosion between the aluminium and carbon which is what causes them the seize. Motorex carbon grease is meant to better than the gritty paste

Tape would also do it

Thank you. Was thinking it would as its the same principle.

I’ve got some of the gritty stuff already but i’d not thought about tape.

Does galvanic corrosion occur when there is only 1 metal?

“Friction paste” was specified in the instructions for my Reverb – it’s an alu frame though. Would this be the same stuff? Is it absolutely necessary?

^ grease would stop it seizing but the carbon paste is to reduce the clamping force required so you don’t stop the post moving up and down freely

Does galvanic corrosion occur when there is only 1 metal?

Yes, carbon is a conductor

Carbon paste has finally cured the slipping seatpost on my 456