Cathodic Protection

Cathodic Protection is a technique that is used to control the corrosion of a metal surface by making that surface the cathode of an electrochemical cell. Corrosion is a reaction that is based on the laws of nature (in other words, all metal will corrode eventually) and cathodic protection is used to counteract this process. Cathodic Protection is an effective method of preventing stress corrosion cracking.

The history of Cathodic Protection

Cathodic Protection to protect steel in concrete has been used successfully since 1973 and it has been used to protect steel in other electrolytes since the 1820’s.

Why do Cathodic Protection Systems fail?

There are three reasons why a cathodic protection system could fail:

• Loss of continuity
• Damaged components
• Deterioration of the system

A side effect of a cathodic protection system that is not performing properly may be the production of hydrogen which leads to the absorption in the protected metal and subsequent hydrogen embrittlement.

Looking for a Cathodic Protection system?

Ace contracting has a team of expert engineers in South Africa that will give you a cathodic protection system that is properly designed, installed and commissioned, contact us.

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