Cathodic Protection

What is cathodic protection?

Cathodic Protection (CP) is an electrochemical process where DC current is
applied to a metal to slow or stop corrosion currents. When properly applied,
CP stops the corrosion reaction from occurring.

Cathodic protection works by placing an anode or anodes (external devices) in

an electrolyte to create a circuit. Current flows from the anode through the
electrolyte to the surface of the structure. Corrosion moves to the anode to
stop further corrosion of the structure.

Cathodic Protection Illustration

Cathodic Protection Example

On an unprotected pipeline, there are naturally occurring potential variations.
Wherever you go from a minor positive to a minor negative, there is a current
flow where galvanic corrosion will occur. (13:45) If you put CP on that pipeline,
for example MATCOR’s linear anode that runs parallel to the pipeline, current is
discharged off of the anode and onto the pipeline, preventing corrosion.

Pipeline without cathodic protection applied

 Cathodic protection applied to pipeline

Cathodic Protection Systems

Corrosion is a leading cause of premature failure in metallic structures.
Operators can extend the service life of their facilities and equipment by
installing cathodic protection systems and testing them regularly. CP systems
can be designed for maximum life and ease of replacement.

A wide range of civil and industrial applications have used these systems to
prevent corrosion for many years. They are typically installed during original
construction, major expansions or upgrades. Our systems are typically
designed to operate for 30 years or longer.

CP Systems protect infrastructure assets such as above ground storage tanks,

buried pipelines, reinforcing steel in concrete structures, heat exchangers,
marine piles, sheet pile walls or other metallic structures from corrosion.
What are the Two Types of Cathodic Protection
Systems?

MATCOR Durammo® Deep Anode Cathodic Protection

System
Cathodic protection is a means of preventing metal structures—such as
pipelines and storage tanks—from reacting with the environment and
corroding. When exposed to the environment, carbon steel and other metals
break down electrochemically and ultimately fail. Cathodic protection systems
prevent the oxidation process from occurring by creating a current flow from
the system to the structure.

CP 101 VIDEO »

There are two basic types of cathodic protection systems:

galvanic and impressed current.
Galvanic
Galvanic corrosion is an electrical-chemical process where one metal is more
susceptible to corrosion than another when both metals are linked electrically.
Galvanic (also called sacrificial) anodes utilized to protect steel structures are
an example of galvanic corrosion, where the galvanic anode corrodes to
protect the structure.
A sacrificial anode is a metal anode electrically linked to the structure to be
protected that is more reactive to the surrounding corrosive environment. The
sacrificial anode corrodes, protecting the metal of the structure being
protected.
In a galvanic system, the anodes connected to the protected structure have a
natural potential that is more negative than the structure’s. When connected
current flows from the anode (more negative potential) to the structure (less
negative potential) in a DC circuit.
 Galvanic anodes (also referred to as sacrificial anodes), when properly applied,
can be used to protect underground steel, marine, internal and industrial
structures from corrosion. They do not require an outside power source to
operate and are therefore limited in their use. Where properly applied they can
be designed to provide long life with ease of operation. Galvanic/sacrificial
anodes are available in a variety of configurations, including:

 Bare metal anodes including magnesium, zinc, aluminum and other alloys
 Packaged in backfill for underground use
 Made with external steel straps for mounting to structures
 Ribbon types
 Rod and special shapes
Impressed Current
In many applications, the potential difference between the galvanic/sacrificial
anode and the steel structure is not enough to generate sufficient current for
protection to occur. In these cases, a power supply (rectifier) is used to
generate larger potential differences, enabling more current to flow to the
structure being protected. This is referred to as an impressed current cathodic
protection (ICCP) system.
Design
To be the most effective and economical, CP systems must be designed
properly. CP design is the scientific discipline involving:

 An understanding of the environmental conditions and the structure to be

protected from corrosion
 Review of options for the structure or application
 Selection of the appropriate system
 Complete design including comprehensive specifications and drawings
utilizing the latest engineering software
Design engineers possessing the right expertise and knowledge of the
structure to be protected from corrosion should perform all phases of cathodic
protection design.