CORROSION
AND
CATHODIC PROTECTION
*
GENERAL
CORROSION
COT rn
Prepared by:
GENERAL CORROSION CORPORATION
MINNEAPOLIS, HNSection One:
Section Two:
Section Three:
Section Four
Section Five:
Section Six:
Table of Contents
Conosion Related Definitions
Pages 3-4
Corrosion Theory
Pages 5-6
Cathodic Protection
Pages 7-8
Cathodic Protection Testing Procedures
Pages 9-10
Cathodic Protection Testing Errors
Page 11
Cathodic Protection System Maintenance
Pages 12-13Section One: Corrosion Related Definitions
Anode - The electrode of an electrochemical cell at which oxidation or corrosion occurs.
Cathode - The electrode of an electrochemical cell at which reduction or practically no eorrosion occurs.
Cathodic Protection - A technique to reduce the corrosion of a metal surface by making that surface the
cathode of an electrochemical cel.
Conting — A dielectric material applied to a pipe to separate it from the environment
Corrosion ~ The deterioration of a material, usually a metal, that results from a reaction with its
environment
Corrosion Cell A circuit consisting of an anode and a cathode in electrical contact in an electrolyte
Corrosion generally occurs only at the anodic areas, (Also: electrochemical cell, galvanic cel)
Corrosion Potential — The potential of a corroding surface in an electrolyte relative to a reference
electrode under open-eircuit conditions. (Also: open-circuit potential)
Criterion — A standard for assessment of the effectiveness of a cathodic protection system.
Depolarization — The elimination or reduction of polarization by phiysical or chemical means. This results
n inereased corrosion,
Direct Current — DC electricity is of prime importance in the corrosion (and the corrosion control)
process.
Electrode — A conductor in contact with an electrolyte in which current is transferred to or from the
electrolyte
Electrolyte ~ An ionic conductor. Usually soil or liquid next to and in contact with buried or submerged
metallic structures,
Foreign Structure ~ Any metallic structuse that is not intended as past of the system under cathodic
protection.
Ground Bed — The portion of the cathodic protection system consisting of the anode and back-