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Galvanic Corrosion

Galvanic corrosion is frequently referred to as dissimilar metal corrosion.  Galvanic corrosion can occur when two dissimilar materials are coupled in a corrosive electrolyte.   An illustration of galvanic corrosion would be joining two dissimilar metals in electrical contact in seawater.

In a galvanic couple, one of the metals in the couple becomes the anode and the other metal becomes the cathode.  The less noble material becomes the anode.  The anodic metal corrodes faster than it would all by itself.  The cathodic metal corrodes slower than it would all by itself.

Many boaters use this knowledge to their benefit.  Sacrificial zinc anodes are commonly used to protect metal components on boats.  The zinc anode corrodes preferentially there by protecting the boat component.  The zinc anodes are maintained and replaced as required to insure continued protection.  Other alloys are also used as sacrificial anodes.  Aluminum or magnesium sacrificial anodes provide better protection in some cases. 

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Last modified: September 11, 2007