How does cathodic protection really work?
Cathodic protection is a method of making a metal the protected cathode by using impressed current or connecting it to a sacrificial anode that is higher on the electromotive force series. The anode sacrifices itself to protect the cathode. • What is the basic corrosion cell? The basic corrosion cell consists of an anode, cathode, metallic path and an electrolyte. An anode becomes the corroded component, the cathode the protected component, the metallic path is any connection between the anode and cathode. The electrolyte is any medium that conducts electricity. Both anode and cathode must be in the electrolyte simultaneously to create a working cell. • How does a coating prevent corrosion? A coating acts much like a barrier that isolates the metal being protected from its environment. • Why is the bond the key to corrosion resistance? In order for a coating to work it must adhere to the surface it is to protect. The coating must be tightly adhering with no areas that are not bonded to
