UNIT - 3

CORROSION AND ITS CONTROL

Corrosion: Corrosion is defined as the “destruction and consequent loss of metals through
chemical or electrochemical attack by the environment” and transformation of pure metal in to
its undesired metallic compounds. The life of metal object get’s shortened by the corrosion
process.

Example: 1. Rusting of Iron – a reddish brown scale formation on steel objects. It is due to the
formation of hydrated ferric oxide.

2. Green scales formed on copper vessels. It is due to the formation of basic cupric carbonate

(CuCO3 + Cu(OH)2)

Why Do Metals Undergo Corrosion?

Most Metals, Except the Noble Metals Occur in Nature in the form of Their Compounds
Such As Oxides, Sulphides, Carbonates, chlorides etc. The metals are extracted from these ores
by reduction. The extraction of metals from their ores is an endothermic process, energy being
supplied in the form of heat or electrical energy. consequently, pure metals are relatively at
higher energy state compared to their corresponding ores, and they have a natural tendency to
revert back to their combined state. Therefore when metals are put to use in various forms they
combine with the constituents of the environment and converted in to their compounds.

ELECTROCHEMICAL THEORY OF CORROSION

Most of corrosion products are best explained on the basis of electrochemical corrosion.

Account to electrochemical theory, corrosion of metals takes place due to the formation
of anodic and cathodic regions on the same metal surface. At the anodic region oxidation
reaction takes place and the metal gets converted in to its ions, liberating electrons.
Consequently, metals undergo corrosion at the anodic region. At the cathodic region, reduction
reaction takes place. Usually cathode reactions do not affects the cathode, since most metals
cannot be further reduced. So at cathodic areas, a dissolved constituent in the conducting
medium accepts the electrons to form some ions (like OH-, O2-).

The metallic ions (at anodic site) and non-metallic ions formed at cathodic site diffuse
towards each other through a conducting medium and form a corrosion product somewhere
between anode and cathode.
[Essential requirements of electrochemical corrosion are

a) Formation of anodic and cathodic sites/areas.

b) Electrical contact between the cathodic and anodic sites to enable the conduction of electrons.

c) An Electrolyte through which the ions can diffuse or migrate. This is usually provided by
moisture].

Corrosion of metal continues as long as a both anodic and cathodic reaction takes place
simultaneously. There cannot be anodic reaction without cathodic reaction and vice versa.

Corrosion reactions:

Anodic reaction is a simple oxidation reaction in which the metal atoms are converted
into their ions liberating electrons.

M→Mn++ne-

For eg. When iron undergoes corrosion,

Fe→Fe2+ +2e-

But the cathodic reactions are more complicated than anodic reaction as the constituents of
the corrosion medium are involved in the reaction, and are depend on the nature of corrosion
environment. The most common types of cathodic reactions are either libration of hydrogen or
absorption of oxygen. Correspondingly the corrosion types are known as hydrogen type
corrosion and oxygen type corrosion.

At the cathodic region

a) Liberation of hydrogen takes place in the absence of oxygen,

i)In acidic medium and in the absence of oxygen, the cathodic reaction is

2H+ + 2e-→H2↑

ii) In neutral or alkaline medium and in the absence of oxygen, hydroxide ions are formed with
simultaneous liberation of hydrogen.

2H2O + 2e- -→ 2OH- + H2

b) Absorption of oxygen takes place in presence of oxygen.

i) In acidic medium and in the presence of oxygen.

4H+ +O2 + 4e-→2H2O

ii) In neutral or alkaline medium and in the presence of oxygen, hydroxide, ions are formed by
the following reaction.

2H2O + O2 +4e- →4OH-

Rusting of iron: (Oxygen type Corrosion)

Rusting of iron in neutral aqueous solution in the presence of atmospheric oxygen is a

common example of this type of corrosion.

The surface of iron is, usually, coated with thin layer of iron oxide. However if this oxide
film develops some cracks, anodic areas are crated on the surface, while the well-metal parts acts
as cathode.

At anodic areas, iron dissolves as ferrous ions with liberation of electrons.

Fe→Fe2++ 2e- (oxidation)

The liberated electrons flow from anodic to cathodic areas, through iron body, where they
are intercepted by the dissolved oxygen as

H2O +½O2 +2e-→2OH- (reduction)

The Fe2+ ions and OH- ions diffuse when they meet, ferrous hydroxide is precipitated

Fe2+ (aq) + 2OH-→Fe (OH) 2↓

If enough oxygen is present, ferrous hydroxide is easily oxidized to ferric hydroxide.

4Fe (OH)2 +O2 +2H2O→2 Fe2O3 . 6H2O(Hydrated ferric oxide-Rust)

GALVANIC SERIES:

The electrochemical series is a table in which the metals are arranged in an increasing order of
their E values.

A metal higher in the electrochemical series is more anodic and corrodes faster than those below
it in the series: For example, Mg corrodes faster than Zn and Fe; Fe faster than Sn and Cu; Cu
faster than Ag.
There are exceptions to this generalization.

For example, (i) Al is above Zn in electrochemical series but is less active than Zn and

(ii) Ti is above Ag in the electrochemical series; but it is less active Magnesium

Base
than Ag.
metals Zinc
This is because metals like Al and Ti form a protective oxide layer and
Aluminium
make their potentials more positive.
Cadmium
Moreover, the electrochemical series does not account for the corrosion of
alloys. Mild steel

In order to overcome these limitations of electrochemical series in Cast iron

corrosion studies a series called galvanic series was introduced.
Lead
“Metals and alloys were arranged in the increasing order of the
corrosion resistance. An arrangement of metals and alloys in the given Tin
environment is referred to as galvanic series.”or Galvanic series is
Brass
table drawn by studying the corrosion of the metals and alloys in a
given corrosive environment. Copper

A more practical series is the galvanic series and is given in the table given Nickel
below.
Stainless
In the galvanic series, base metals are placed higher and the noble metals steel
lower in the series. It may be seen that Al and Ni are nobler than that
(18%Cr 8%
indicated by the electrochemical series and Ti behaves like a true noble
Ni)
metal. Thus, the galvanic series is more useful in studying corrosion
Silver
Some important characteristics of the two series are summarized
below. Titanium

1. The electrochemical series is based on the E 0 values measured on pure Gold

Noble
metals dipped in their solutions without any oxide films on them.
metals Platinum
2. Galvanic series, on the other hand, is developed by studying corrosion
of metals in the environment without the removal of their oxide film.
3. The position of a given metal is fixed in the electrochemical series whereas it may vary in the
galvanic series depending on the corrosive environment.
4. Corrosion characteristics of alloys can be studied using galvanic series.

TYPES OF CORROSION: Mainly 4 types

a) Differential metal corrosion

b) Differential aeration corrosion
c) Stress Corrosion
d) Grain boundary corrosion.

Differential metal corrosion (or galvanic corrosion)

Galvanic corrosion occurs when two dissimilar metals are in contact with each other in a
corrosive conducting medium. The two metals differ in their tendencies to undergo oxidation, the
one with lower electrode potential or the more active metal acts as anode and the one with higher
electrode potential acts as cathode. The potential difference between the two metals is the cause
or driving force for corrosion. The anodic metal undergoes corrosion and the cathodic metal is
generally unattacked. The metal higher in the electrochemical series is anodic to the one below it.

For ex. Iron is anodic to Copper, Nickel and Tin. But Iron is cathodic to Zinc and Magnesium.
Therefore Iron corrodes in contact with copper. Whereas Zinc and Magnesium corrode in
presence of Iron. The rates of differential metal corrosion depend on amount of current passing
from anode to cathode, higher the difference faster is the rate of corrosion.

“Consider a Galvanic cell, in this cell Iron and Copper are in contact with an aerated
solution of NaCl. A current flows between the two electrodes spontaneously and electrons flow
from Fe to Cu. Indicate that Fe is the anode and Cu is the Cathode. The reaction that takes place
in the cell are

At anode

Fe  Fe2+ + 2e-

At Cathode

2H2O + O2 + 4e-  4 OH-

Fe2+ (metal ion) and OH- diffuse towards each other and form corrosion product
somewhere between anodic site and cathodic site.

2 Fe2+ + 4 OH- 2Fe (OH)2

2 Fe2+ (OH)2 + O2 + 2 H2O  2 [Fe2O3, 3 H2O]- RUST.

When two metals are in contact with each other, a galvanic cell is set up and a current flow, the
metal acting as anode undergoes corrosion and the metal acting as cathode is unaffected.”

Differential aeration corrosion

Differential aeration corrosion occurs due to difference in the concentration of air over
the surface of a metal.

Consider a strip of pure iron partially immersed in an aerated solution of Sodium chloride
as shown in figure.

The concentration of
Oxygen is high at the
surface than that inside
 the solution. Since the cathodic reaction involves the use of oxygen, the cathodic area tends to
concentrate near the water line as shown in figure. Therefore, the bottom portion of the iron strip
act’s as anode where the corrosion process begins.

Electrons pass from the bottom to the top of the strip. The corrosion product (rust) is
formed between the anodic and cathodic reactions areas. The anodic and cathodic reactions are.

At Anode

Fe  Fe2+ + 2e- (at the bottom)

At Cathode

2H2O + O2 + 4e-  4 OH- (near the water line)

2 Fe2+ + 2OH- 2Fe (OH)2

2 Fe(OH)2 + O2 + 2 H2O  2 Fe2O3.2H2O(rust)

Typical examples of differential aeration corrosion are the water – line corrosion and pitting
corrosion.

Water – line corrosion

Water – line corrosion is observed commonly in steel water tanks. The anodic area moves
gradually upwards & the entire tank corrode with an intense corrosion at the water line. This is
shown fig.

More oxygen, (Cathode)

Rust

Less Oxygen (Anode)

Water

The metal just below the water line is more anodic (less oxygenated) . The meniscus (creep)
which is immediately above the water line is more oxygenated, acts as the cathode and is
unaffected. This size of the creep determines the rate of corrosion. Larger the creep, the more
cathodic water – line area and more is the rate of corrosion just below the water line. This type of
corrosion is commonly observed in ships floating in seawater for long periods of time.

Pitting corrosion:-

Pitting corrosion results when dust particle gets deposited on a metal surface. The portion
covered by dust will be less aerated compared to the exposed surface as shown fig.

The covered
portion thus
becomes
anodic with respect to the exposed surface as shown in above figure. The covered portion thus
becomes anodic with respect to the exposed surface. In the presence of electrolytes and moisture,
corrosion starts beneath the dust resulting in a pit. Once a pit is formed, the corrosion progress
progresses rapidly. This is because of the formation of small anodic area (pit) compared to a
large cathodic Area (surface). The latter induces the small anodic area to corrode faster by
accepting electrons from the anodic area.

STRESS CORROSION

If two samples of steel, one of which is under stress, are placed in a corrosive
environment, the stressed specimen corrodes at a faster rate, stress may be due to mechanical
operations such as poor design, welding, pressing, riveting and hammering. In a corrosive
environment, the stressed portion is anodic with respect to the unstressed portion and undergoes
corrosion.

Cathode
Stressed portion
Anode

At the stressed portion, the atoms are slightly

displaced creating an anodic zone of higher potential.
The stress produces strains resulting in localized zones of increased energy. These zones are very
active and are attacked even by mild corrosive agents. Metal sheet has a stress at the bent region.
The presence of such on metal results in strain causing a localized area of higher electrode
potential. This strained localized zone, thus becomes chemically reactive and sensitive to even
mild corrosive environment. And the bent region is vulnerable for corrosion while the unstressed
region of the metal protected from corrosion.

An example of stress corrosion is caustic embrittlement .

Caustic embrittlement in boilers

Cathode
H2O
Mild steel boiler
+
NaOH
Stressed portion
Anode

Heat

caustic embitterment is form of stress corrosion that takes place in boilers operating at
high pressure, at the stressed regions of the boiler. Bioler plate under stress become brittle by the
action of caustic alkali which causes failure of the boiler .Caustic embrittlement occurs at
stressed parts of the boiler such as cracks, rivet’s, bends and joints. Fine hair – line crack’s may
be present at stressed portion of the boiler. Boiler water containing alkaline impurities passes in
to the cracks by capillary action. Later water evaporates leaving behind caustic soda (Na 2CO3) in
the cracks. At high pressure and temperature the residual Na2CO3 undergoes hydrolysis
producing sodium hydroxide.

Na2CO3 + H2O  2NaOH + CO2

When the concentration of NaOH reaches a value of 10% it attacks the metals at the
stressed region, dissolving it in the form of sodium ferroate (Na 2FeO2). This sodium ferroate
undergoes hydrolysis. Deposited magnetite (Fe3O4) by either of the following reactions.

3Na2FeO2 + 4 H2O  6 NaOH + Fe3O4 + H2

Or

6 Na2FeO2 + 6 H2O + O2  12 NaOH + 2 Fe3O4

Factors affecting rate of corrosion

Several factors affect the rate of corrosion of metals. These may be broadly classified as
primary factors which are due to the metal and secondary factors which are due to environment.
These factors are listed in the following table.

Primary factor’s (related to nature of metal) Secondary factor’s (related to environment)

a. Electrode potential (Nature of the metal) a. pH
b. Difference in potential between anodic b. Temperature
and Cathodic region Polarization of the c. Conductance of medium
electrode surface. d. Humidity
c. Nature of Corrosion Product e. Presence of impurities in the
d. The ratio of Anodic to Cathodic Area environment
f. Acid fumes & H2S gas

Primary Factors:-

a). Electrode potential (Nature of the metal)

The tendency of metal to undergo corrosion is dependent on the nature of the metal. In
general, the metals with lower electrode potential values are more reactive than the metals with
higher electrode potential values. The more reactive metals easily undergo corrosion. Thus the
tendency of metal to undergo corrosion decreases with increase in electrode potential.

For example, the so called active metals like K, Na, Mg, Zn etc, with low electrode potential
values are highly susceptible for corrosion. The noble metals such as silver, gold, platinum etc.
with higher electrode potential values are less susceptible for corrosion.

b) Difference in potential between anodic and Cathodic region

larger the potential difference between the anodic region and cathodic region of the
corrosion cell, higher is the corrosion rate For ex, the Potential difference between Iron and
Copper is 0.78v , which is more than that between Iron and Tin (0.3v). therefore, Iron corrodes
faster in contact with copper than in contact with Tin.

c) Nature of Corrosion Product

The nature of the corrosion product largely decides the rate of further corrosion. The
corrosion product formed on the surface of the metal may or may not act as a protective film. If
the corrosion product deposited is insoluble, stable, uniform and non porous. It acts as a
protective film preventing the further corrosion of metal. This film acts as a barrier between the
fresh metal surface and the corrosion environment. On the other hand if the corrosion product is
soluble, unstable, non uniform and porous, it acts a non protective film. In such cases, the fresh
metal surface is continuously exposed to the corrosion environment and corrosion of the metal
surface takes place continuously.

d) The ratio of Anodic to Cathodic Area

The rate of corrosion is greatly influenced by the relative sizes of anodic and cathodic
area. If a metal has a small anodic area and large cathodic area. (i.e the ratio of anodic to
cathodic area is small), then the corrosion is more intensive and faster is the corrosion rate at the
anodic region. As this ratio decreases the corrosion rate increases rapidly. This is explained as
follows. At anode oxidation takes place and electrons are liberated. At the cathode these
electrons are consumed. When the anode is smaller and cathodic region is large all the electrons
liberated at the anode, are rapidly consumed at the cathodic region.

This process makes the anodic reactions to take place at it is maximum rate, thus
increasing the corrosion rate. If the cathode is smaller, the consumption of electrons will be
slower and the corrosion reaction as a whole will be slower. For instance, a broken coating of Tin
on Iron surface enhances corrosion rate of Iron. Tin is cathodic to Iron and the small exposed part
of Iron acts as anodic region and rest of the large Tin coated surface acts as Cathodic region.
Because of small ratio of anodic to cathode area, the corrosion rate is very high.

Secondary factors (related to environment):-

a) Temperature: -The rate of a chemical reaction in general, increases with rise in

temperature. Corrosion process is one such chemical reaction. Therefore, the rate
corrosion increases as the temperature increases. Increase in temperature increases the
conductance of the corrosion medium, which also contributes to the increase in corrosion
rate. In the case of corrosion resistant passive metals, the rise in temperature decreases
the passivity and thereby increases the corrosion rate.
b) pH :- the rate of corrosion increases with decrease in pH. At pH greater than 10, corrosion
of Iron practically ceases due to the formation of a protective coating of hydrous oxides
of Iron. Between pH 10 and 3, the presence of Oxygen is essential for corrosion of Iron.
For ex. Ships submerged in deep sea water for hundreds of years remain almost
unaffected. If the pH is lower than 3, severe corrosion occurs even in the absence of air
due to the continuous evolution of hydrogen at the cathodic region.
c) Electrical conductivity of the corrosion medium:- As the conductivity of the corrosion
medium increases, the corrosion rate also increases. Higher the conductivity of the
medium, faster the ions can migrate between anodic and cathodic regions of the corrosion
cell, inturn, faster will be the exchange of electrons at the electrode surfaces. This
facilitate higher corrosion rate. Therefore corrosion problem is more in the sea water than
in fresh water.
 Corrosion Control

Corrosion can be controlled by preventing the formation of galvanic cells. The methods
commonly used to control corrosion of metals are the following.

1) Protective Coatings
a) In organic coatings.
i)Metallic coatings – anodic and Cathodic

Ii)Surface conversion coatings – Anodizing, phosphating, Chromating.

b) Organic Coatings – Paints and enamel’s

2) Cathodic protection
3) Anodic Protection
4) Corrosion inhibitors
These methods are discussed in the following sections.
1. Protective Coatings
Application of protective coating is one of the important methods of corrosion
control. The Protective Coatings protects the metal from corrosion by acting as a
barrier between the metal and the corrosion environment. The principal types of
coatings applied on the metal surface are
a) Metallic coating
b) In organic coating
c) Organic coating
a) Metal coatings:- “ Deposition of a protective metal over the surface of a base
metal is called metallic coating.” Metal coatings are of two types.
i) Anodic Metal coating
ii) Cathodic metal coating.
I) Anodic metal Coating (Galvanizing)
Anodic metal coatings are coatings which are anodic to base metals, here we are
going to deposite a metal which is above the base metal means the protective metal is
above the base metal in the galvanic series and protective metal is more active than
base metal thereby protecting base metal.
Examples are, Aluminium, Magnesisum, Zinc and Cadmium coatings on Iron (base
metal). These protective metals (Al, Zn, Cd) are above Iron in the galvanic series and
Al, Zn, Cd Mg they are more active metals than Iron. So they undergo corrosion
thereby protecting Iron. A characteristic feature of anodic coating is that the base
metal on which the coating is done will not get corroded even if the coating peal’s off.
This is due to the formation of large anodic and small cathodic area. Means the
exposed surface of the metal is cathodic. With respect to the coating metal. Hot
dipping or galvanization is an example of anodic metal coating. Galvanization
process involves the following steps.
Drier Galvanized iron
Iron sheet Rollers

Organic solvent dil H2SO4 ZnCl2+NH4Cl Molten Zn (450 0C) Excess Zn

ss solvent
  The metal surface is washed with organic solvents to remove organic matter on the
surface.
 Rust and other deposits are removed by washing with dilute sulphuric acid.
 Finally the article is well washed with water and air dried.
 The article is then dipped in a bath of molten zinc, maintained at 425-430 0 c and covered
with a flux of ammonium chloride to prevent the oxidation of molten Zinc.
 The excess zinc on the surface is removed by passing through a pair of hot rollers, which
wipes out excess of Zinc coating and produces a thin coating

Galvanization is used extensively to protect Iron from corrosion in the form of roofing sheets,
fencing wire, buckets, bolts, nuts, nails, screws, pipes, tubes.

Cathodic metal coating (Tinning)

Cathodic metal coatings are coatings which are cathodic to the base metal. Examples are
Tin, Nickel, Chromium, and Copper on Iron. The coating is given in such a way that the applied
coat completely covers the surface without leaving even pin holes. Otherwise rapid corrosion of
the base metal takes place due to the formation of large cathodic and small anodic areas ‘ Tinning
the process of coating Tin on Iron” is described below.

Rollers Drier Iron sheet

Iron sheet
plated with tin

Organic solvent dil H2SO4 ZnCl2+NH4Cl Molten tin Excess tin Palm oil
 The sheet is first washed with organic solvents to remove grease or deposits.
 Then treated with dilute sulfuric acid to remove rust and scale deposits. Finally is washed
well with water and air dried.
 The clean and dry sheet is passed through molten zinc chloride flux. The flux helps the
molten metal to adhere on the metal surface.
 It is then passed through a tank that contains molten Tin.
 Finally passed through a series of roller immersed in palm oil. The rollers help to remove
excess tin deposit and produce a continuous, thin coating of tin on the sheet. The oil
prevents the oxidation of the Tin coated Surface.

“Inorganic Coatings”:-
 Inorganic coatings are generally chemical conversion coatings. A surface layer of the
metal is converted in to a compound, by chemical or electrochemical reactions, which
forms a barrier between the underlying metal surface and the corrosion environment.
This types of coatings are formed on the metal surface by chemical dip spray or by
electrolytic methods.
A metal due to passivation effect exhibits much higher corrosive resistance.
Passivity of metal is due to the formation of a highly protective thin oxide film on the
surface of the metal. Which makes the metal more corrosion resistant. Metals like Al, Cr,
Ni, Ti, etc. do show passivity due to the formation of their thin oxide film on the surfaces.
“Anodisation is a process in which a protective passive oxide film is artificially
produced on certain metals (Al, Zn, Mg, Cr etc) in oxidizing acid bath.

Anodisation of Aluminium

This process is known as anodic oxidation of Aluminium Al2O3 is formed on the surface
of Aluminum when Al is made the anode of the cell. Anodizing is carried out as follows the
article is degreased. Polished and connected to the anode .Steel or copper is made the cathode. 5-
10% chromic acid acts as electrolyte. The temperature of the bath is maintained at 35 0C. A
potential is applied and increased from 0 to 40V during the first 10 minutes. Anodizing is
continued for 20 minutes at 40V. After 20 minutes the potential is increased to 50 V and held at
this potential for five minutes. An opaque oxide layer of 2-8μm thickness is obtained. For higher
thickness 10% H2SO4 is used as the electrolyte at 220C and at a potential of 24V. The article is
dyed by immersing for about 20 min in a solution of dye at 50- 60 0 C. Finally the article is
treated with Nickel acetate followed by boiling water.

Phosphate Coating.-

Phosphate Coating is a process in which a thin film of metal phosphate coating

gets deposited on the metal surface due to the interaction of surface atoms of the base metal and
certain metal phosphates in aqueous solution of phosphoric acid.

Phosphate coatings are generally used to coat Iron, steel and zinc and to a lesser extent
Al, Cd, and Tin. A chemical or electrochemical reaction between the phosphating solution and
the base metal results in the formation of a surface film, consisting of zinc or manganese
phosphates. The surface coating obtained as above on metal surface do offer complete resistance
to corrosion, however phosphating gives the surface a good point adhesion quality. Thus
phosphating techniques are adopted as an excellent base for paints lacquers, oils and enamels.
Phophating of metals is usually carried out by immersion or spraying or brushing and electro-
phosphating.
 The phosphating bath is a mixture of phosphorus acid and Zn/Mn phosphate solution.
Accelerators such as copper salts, H2O2, Nitrates, etc. are used to enhance the rate of deposition.

The pH of the phosphating bath is to be maintained at 1.8 – 3.2. The electro- deposit of
phosphate coating process is carried out at a temperature of 350 C.

Phosphate coating is widely used in the automobile industry nuts & bolts construction
materials etc.

Cathodic protection:-

Cathodic protection is a method of protecting a metal or alloy from corrosion by

converting it completely in to cathodic and no part of it is allowed to acts as anode.

Principle: - Metals normally undergo corrosion by electrochemical process with the

formation of anodic and cathodic regions in contact with each other. The corrosion of metal takes
place at the anodic region whereas at the cathodic region, the metal is unaffected. Therefore,
corrosion can be prevented by eliminating the anodic sites and converting the entire metal into
cathodic area.

Cathodic protection can be achieved by the following methods.

i) Sacrificial Anode
ii) Impressed current.

i) Sacrificial Anode Method:-

In this method, the protected metal structure is converted into a cathode by connecting it
to a more active (less noble) metal. This active metal acts as an auxiliary anode, Zinc,
magnesium and Aluminium are the common auxiliary anodes used in this method. These
method being more active, act as anode and undergo preferential corrosion, protecting the metal
structure. Since the anodic metals are sacrificed to protect the metal structure the method is
known as sacrificial anode method.

Other examples: Mg bars are fixed to the sides of ships to act as sacrificial anode.

Mg blocks are connected to buried pipe lines.

Advantages:-

 The Fe method is simple.

Zn/Mg
  Low installation cost.
 Minimum maintenance cost.
 Does not require power supply.

Impressed current method

Another method of providing cathodic protection is by applying a direct current larger than the
corrosion current. The protected metal is made cathodic by connecting it to the cathode of the external
source of current.The anode of the source is connected to an inert electrode.
The metal structure being does not undergo corrosion. Anode being inert remains
unaffected. Graphite is widely used as the inert anode in this method. Platinum, silicon, Iron are
also used as anodes.

+ -

Anode Cathode

Meatal to be protected
Graphite road

Advantages :-

 Low maintenance cost.

 One installation can protect large area of metal.