Understanding Galvanic Corrosion: A Comprehensive Guide

Different types of corrosion exist, and galvanic corrosion of metals is among the most prevalent. It occurs when two distinct metals interact with certain media, making one lose its physical and mechanical integrity more quickly than if uncoupled. For more context, this article explores galvanic corrosion’s meaning and causes and how to prevent it. Let’s get into it!

What Is Galvanic Corrosion?

Galvanic corrosion definition occurs when two dissimilar metals connected by an electric charge react in the presence of an electrolyte, leading to the corrosion of one of the metal materials. Metals tend to lose their structural integrity after prolonged exposure to water and other wet environments. 

Galvanic corrosion is also known as bimetallic corrosion, and during this process, the positively charged metal (the cathode) is unprotected, leading to corrosion, while the reacting negatively charged metal (the anode) is protected.

For instance, if aluminum and cast iron are coupled and immersed in salt water for a while, aluminum will corrode faster than cast iron because aluminum is the most active metal in the galvanic series. In this case, aluminum becomes the anode, and so do other metals in the galvanic series that corrode faster than the other when coupled and exposed to corrosive media.

What Is the Galvanic Series?

The galvanic corrosion series or galvanic series in chemistry is an order for different metals, semi-metals, and alloys based on their tendency to corrode or react when they come into contact with each other in a conductive environment like saltwater. The galvanic corrosion table ranks metals from the most “active” to the least active. 

The most active metals in the galvanic corrosion chart, like aluminum, zinc, or magnesium, are more likely to corrode when connected to less active metals, like stainless steel or gold. This happens because electrons flow from the more active metal to the less active ones, leading to an electrochemical reaction that can result in rusting.

In 2018, a VSAT satellite antenna dome fell from its mast due to galvanic corrosion, so knowing the galvanic series is important, especially when dealing with structures or systems made of different metals. It helps you decide which metals to use together to avoid galvanic corrosion and extend the lifespan of various metal components. 

Aside from knowing the series, it is also important to know what happens during galvanic corrosion and the causes. Luckily, the next section provides intricate details on the roots of this challenge.

Tabular Representation of the Galvanic Series

The table below shows the order (from the less reactive to the most reactive) in which the metals in the galvanic series appear.

What Are the Causes of Galvanic Corrosion?

Before galvanic corrosion happens, certain conditions must be met, So, If you’re wondering, ‘How does galvanic corrosion occur?’ or ‘Why does galvanic corrosion occur?’ Here is a run-through of the factors that determine the reaction:

• Contact Between Two Dissimilar Metals: The primary cause of galvanic corrosion is the direct physical contact between dissimilar metals, this step makes predicting galvanic corrosion easy. 

When these metals touch, they create a small electrochemical cell due to differences in the electrical potential between the two metals. One becomes the anode (the metal that corrodes), and the other the cathode (the metal that doesn’t corrode).

• Electrolyte: There cannot be galvanic corrosion without water or other corrosive media. The electrolyte is a conductive substance that allows and facilitates the flow of ions between the two metals. Common electrolytes include water, saltwater, acids, and even soil. 

The above conditions must be met for galvanic corrosion to occur. In addition, it is important to know that metals have varying degrees of reactivity in the galvanic series. The greater the difference in reactivity (voltage) between two metals, the more likely galvanic corrosion will occur. For example, pairing a highly active metal like aluminum with a less active one like stainless steel will produce more rapid corrosion.

Types of Galvanic Corrosion in Different Metals and Their Alloys

Predicting galvanic corrosion can be easy and challenging. It can be easy for those who know metals that suffer from galvanic corrosion and the electrolytes that ensure this reaction occurs. On the other hand, it can be difficult for individuals unfamiliar with the metals and conditions that cause this corrosion. Nevertheless, here’s a comprehensive guide on identifying galvanic corrosion in different metals.

Galvanic Corrosion Aluminum

Aluminum and its alloys are popular for their excellent resistance to seawater and other corrosive media due to the strong oxide layer. This oxide layer can heal the aluminum’s surface in case of scratches and signs of rust. However, they can only maintain this excellence when they are uncoupled. 

But when they are joined with other metals, an adverse reaction occurs, putting aluminum at higher risk of corroding because it is the most reactive of the metals in the galvanic corrosion series. For instance, coupling—aluminum and stainless steel galvanic corrosion or copper and aluminum galvanic corrosion—in a corrosive media will leave aluminum at a disadvantage. 

2. Galvanic Corrosion Stainless Steel

The high chromium content in stainless steel alloy families—austenitic, ferritic, duplex, and martensitic, and precipitation hardening stainless steel—reacts with oxygen in the air. This reaction provides a protective layer, making stainless steel materials highly corrosion-resistant. 

Nevertheless, they are not completely immune from corroding when coupled with other metals and exposed to various electrolytes. Still, many stainless steel alloys rank toward the cathodic side on the galvanic series, unlike aluminum, which ranks on the anodic end, making them less likely to suffer damage from galvanic corrosion. 

For example, in the reaction of cast iron and stainless steel galvanic corrosion, the stainless steel will corrode faster than cast iron because it is more reactive. But in stainless steel zinc galvanic corrosion, zinc will corrode faster because it ranks on the anodic end of the galvanic series. 

3. Titanium Galvanic Corrosion

Titanium has an oxide layer that protects it from corroding under harsh temperatures and prevents tarnishing at room temperatures. In addition, it is among the most ductile metals on the periodic table and ranks towards the cathodic end of the galvanic corrosion series. Due to its position on the galvanic corrosion series table, it is less likely to corrode when coupled with almost any metal.

Though it will corrode first when joined with platinum because the latter is the most cathodic in the series, it shows a different result in galvanic corrosion between titanium and stainless steel, or titanium copper galvanic corrosion, or titanium and aluminum galvanic corrosion. These products have a faster corrosion for stainless steel, copper, and aluminum and a slower corrosion speed for titanium.

4. Tungsten Galvanic Corrosion

Like titanium and platinum, tungsten also leans towards the cathodic side of the galvanic series, though it can corrode fast when coupled with less reactive metal, its degradation is less with more anodic elements. The tungsten metal alloys, especially tungsten carbide, are highly corrosion-resistant.

So, before tungsten carbide galvanic corrosion occurs, it must be coupled with less reactive metals like gold, silver, stainless steel, titanium, brass plating, and platinum. These metals and top topmost cathodic on the galvanic series will corrode slower when combined with tungsten and its alloys.

Copper Galvanic Corrosion

Copper has many applications due to its high electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and corrosion resistance features. Due to its corrosion resistance, it is used in electronics, wiring systems, heat exchangers for industries, and plumbing. Alone, copper can take years before rusting in corrosive media.

However, when coupled with a dissimilar metal, like in the copper brass galvanic corrosion, the metal degrades faster than brass plating. But, it also corrodes slower when combined with more anodic metals; in the case of copper zinc galvanic corrosion and copper to steel galvanic corrosion. 

6. Zinc Galvanic Corrosion

Zinc is one of the anodic metals in the galvanic series, so it is almost impossible to find a galvanic corrosion reaction where it degrades slower than any metal, not even aluminum. It is important to note that zinc has excellent corrosion resistance, in fact, it is used as a protective layer for certain metals. 

For instance, it acts as additional coasting, increasing hot-dipped galvanized steel corrosion resistance. While this feature is important for many applications, you must be careful not to combine zinc with just any metal to avoid corrosion. Instances where it’ll degrade faster are zinc and brass galvanic corrosion, zinc and copper galvanic corrosion, and zinc steel galvanic corrosion.

7. Brass Galvanic Corrosion

Brass is one copper alloy that expresses lower corrosion resistance than other members of the family. However, this doesn’t entail that it is weak to corrosive media; rather the reverse is the case because it contains a high percentage of zinc with copper as the main element in its composition. Copper in this metal provides an oxide layer to protect it from corrosion resistance.  

Since pure copper is more corrosion resistant, you’d expect it to beat brass plating during galvanic corrosion, but no, brass plating is more cathodic than copper. It is also more cathodic in the following combinations: boron steel galvanic corrosion, brass iron galvanic corrosion, brass to aluminum galvanic corrosion, and brass zinc galvanic corrosion.

8. Bronze Galvanic Corrosion

Like brass, bronze is another copper alloy mixed with tin and small percentages of other elements, but this time, bronze exhibits better corrosion resistance than copper. While its metal combinations and features give it leverage in terms of durability, it is not 100% immune to corrosion, especially galvanic.

Due to its high copper and tin content, bronze lies towards the cathodic side of the series, meaning that in a coupled reaction with more anodic metals, it’ll degrade slower. A typical example is seen in bronze steel galvanic corrosion, bronze vs aluminum galvanic corrosion, and bronze stainless steel galvanic corrosion.

9. Monel 400 Galvanic Corrosion

Monel 400 is a nickel-copper alloy, meaning that it has copper and nickel as its main alloying elements, while other contributing elements are in smaller quantities. Due to its chemical composition, the metal alloy is considered a good corrosion resistor. Even with its low rust resistance, it is less likely to degrade in a monel galvanic corrosion when coupled with other metals.

That is because it is situated in the cathodic end, usually between titanium and bronze. Due to this positioning, it tends to corrode even slower than titanium itself. Nevertheless, other metals perform better than monel in this setting, so when comparing monel vs stainless steel galvanic corrosion between the two, monel will likely corrode faster.

10. Nickel Galvanic Corrosion

Nickel and all its alloys, including Alloy 617, Alloy 601, and Alloy 600 have great corrosion resistance. However, on the galvanic series table, they fall just between the anodic and cathodic centers, meaning they are not too reactive or unreactive. 

For a galvanic reaction caused by nickel and more anodic metals like nickel aluminum galvanic corrosion, nickel and stainless steel galvanic corrosion, and nickel and steel galvanic corrosion, the most anodic metals, break down faster.

Nevertheless, when it is coupled with more laid back or cathodic metals, such as in nickel and copper galvanic corrosion or nickel gold galvanic corrosion interaction, nickel corrodes more quickly, please these metals are less reactive.

Identifying Galvanic Corrosion in Different Metal Products 

The majority of people use products made from two dissimilar metals, and as time goes on, those metals must degrade, but one will degrade faster than the other. So, here’s how to determine galvanic corrosion early in some of the most common products you use:

Galvanic Corrosion…Choose your coupling components carefully

1. Galvanic Corrosion in Boiler

Boilers and other kitchen utensils are usually made from aluminum, iron, copper, or stainless steel. Sometimes, two different metals, like aluminum and copper, are used to improve the integrity of the metal products. However, this combination and other metal coupling doesn’t always go smoothly, because one of such metals will corrode before the other. 

In the case of zinc and aluminum galvanic corrosion or zinc and stainless steel galvanic corrosion in boilers, zinc will corrode easily because it is more anodic than the latter. On the other hand, if the following metals are coupled in boilers: aluminum and titanium galvanic corrosion or aluminum bronze galvanic corrosion, aluminum will corrode faster.

2. Galvanic Corrosion in Bolts/Fasteners

Galvanic corrosion in bolts occurs in various structures that use them to hold metals together. Bolts are attached to nuts and washers to function as a fastener, without these fasteners, such structures will not stand. Even though they are used properly, bolts are liable to corrode when in contact with dissimilar metals in an electrolyte. In this case, the more reactive metal (the bolt) will corrode faster due to a natural electrical current flowing from one metal to another.

3. Galvanic Corrosion in Pipes

The cause of galvanic corrosion in pipes is no different than it is in other materials. Using plumbing systems as an example, the steel pipe might act as the anode and corrode more quickly, while the copper pipe serves as the cathode and remains unaffected. This leads us to the question, ‘Can galvanic corrosion cause leaks?’ 

Yes, as the pipe corrodes, it can weaken and develop leaks, potentially leading to failures and costly repairs. This corrosion can also introduce impurities into the water supply, harming drinking water systems. To prevent galvanic corrosion in piping systems, use sacrificial anodes like zinc to protect the primary metals.

4. Fiberglass Galvanic Corrosion

Fiberglass is used in the construction industry and materials due to its durability, lightweight properties, and resistance to various corrosive media, including galvanic corrosion. Galvanic corrosion involving fiberglass occurs when fiberglass components or structures are installed close to metals in the presence of an electrolyte. 

This happens in various settings, such as boats, pipelines, or even in the construction of buildings. In such cases, fiberglass acts as the cathode, while the contact metal acts as the anode and corrodes more quickly, leaving fiberglass unaffected,

5. Fire Sprinkler Corrosion

Galvanic and other forms of corrosion affect 70% of water sprinkler systems after 13 years of installation. That is because their configuration involves two dissimilar metals designed to distribute freshwater when a fire is detected. For instance, if two metals, copper and steel, are used in a sprinkler system, galvanic corrosion of copper and steel will occur, and steel will corrode faster because it is more reactive than copper.

6. Galvanic Corrosion LED Board

LED boards are modern display technologies that advertise products and services or share relevant information with customers and passersby. These products are joined with printed circuit boards (PCBs), often comprised of non-metallic materials like fiberglass or epoxy. In LED board galvanic corrosion, the display comes into contact with metal components, such as brackets, screws, cabinet materials, or enclosures, causing galvanic corrosion.

7. Galvanic Corrosion Bike Wheels

Bike wheels are made up of various metal parts, including the rims, spokes, and hubs. These components are usually made from dissimilar metals, such as aluminum, steel, or carbon fiber with metallic elements. Alone, these metals have good to excellent corrosion resistance capabilities, but combined under an electrolyte, they can lead to galvanic corrosion.

For instance, if galvanic corrosion of carbon fiber and aluminum happens in a bicycle wheel, then one of these parts (aluminum, the anode) will corrode faster than carbon fiber (the cathode) when you ride your bike in rainy conditions or on wet roads.

8. Cookware: Cast Iron Stainless Steel Galvanic Corrosion

Cast iron and stainless steel cookware have varying advantages. The first has excellent heat retention, corrosion resistance, and heating properties. On the other hand, stainless steel cookware is durable, resistant to corrosion, and easy to clean. Alone, both metals are excellent at maintaining their structural integrity, but together, one will corrode the other quickly.

So, let’s say you have stainless steel cookware, and you’re using it on a cast iron stove griddle or in a corrosive environment where the two metals come into contact, like a dishwasher. The steel cookware will corrode more quickly before the cast iron stove girdle, and a rusty pot or pan can harm your health.

Identifying Galvanic Corrosion in Various Industries

Generally, corrosion causes $2.5 trillion worth of damage globally to products, industries, and many work settings. But galvanic corrosion has also been a major challenge for industries that combine metals in the galvanic series without proper protection. Some of these industries and how they are affected include the following:

1. Galvanic Corrosion in Dentistry

Oral diseases affect over 3.5 billion people globally, and a fragment of this record re-emerges after dental work. You may be wondering how this happens, but here’s the thing: When it comes to galvanic corrosion in dentistry, dental prosthetic devices are usually made from different metals.

When these dissimilar alloy materials come into contact with saliva in a patient’s mouth, it causes galvanic corrosion in dental handpieces and other dentistry equipment. For instance, a dental handpiece made from tungsten carbide and stainless steel can undergo galvanic corrosion, and in this case, the part made with tungsten carbide will degrade faster.

2. Galvanic Corrosion in Marine Environments

Structures used in marine environments, including engine components, propellers, heat exchangers, pumps, and valves, are built using dissimilar metal alloys, like aluminum, steel, manganese, bronze, and zinc due to their corrosion resistance. Combining these metals and exposing them to seawater can be directly linked to boat galvanic corrosion and galvanic corrosion in ships. 

Ignoring existing or potential galvanic corrosion of these systems can lead to safety concerns because the reaction will eat up the boat or ship’s structural and mechanical integrity and lessen its ability to withstand prolonged stress. Aside from safety concerns, ignoring an affected component will lead to more expensive replacement costs.

3. Automotive Galvanic Corrosion 

Wheel wells, fenders, and other metal components of an automobile are built from corrosion-resistant materials, like steel, aluminum, and other metals. However, by combining these metals in the system and exposing them to moisture or other electrolytes, one of the metals in the combination will lose its structural integrity more quickly than the other.

In automobiles, no brand is 100% protected from corrosion. For instance, you’ll find Ford engine components made of two dissimilar metals causing a Tesla galvanic corrosion,  Ford galvanic corrosion, or brake fluid galvanic corrosion. This issue is, however, not peculiar to Ford automobiles, it occurs in all cars and components involving dissimilar alloys.

4. Galvanic Corrosion in Electronics

When dissimilar metal alloys come into contact in the presence of moisture or humidity in electrical systems, galvanic corrosion can occur. This corrosion compromises the functionality and lifespan of electronic components, leading to reduced conductivity, increased resistance, and even complete failure of the device. 

To mitigate galvanic corrosion in electronics, manufacturers employ various techniques, including coatings, to prevent degradation and improve corrosion resistance in electro galvanized iron wire and other electrical components 

5. Galvanic Corrosion in Renewable Energy Systems

Renewable energy systems, such as solar panels and wind turbines, rely on various materials, including metals like aluminum and steel, to transmit energy efficiently. These systems often are designed for outdoor environments exposed to moisture and changing weather conditions. So it is not strange for galvanic corrosion to be a concern. 

For example, aluminum frames acting as supporting solar panels can come into contact with steel mounting hardware, creating solar panel hardware galvanic corrosion. Over time, this can compromise the panel’s structural integrity and ability to transmit energy efficiently.

6. Galvanic Corrosion in Oil and Gas Industry

Metals can cause uniform or galvanic corrosion in oil and gas industry, especially in pipelines, storage tanks, and sour and sweet well environments. This is due to the combinations of carbon steels, high nickel alloys, and other metal alloys immersed in electrolytes like crude oil, moisture, or salt water. Galvanic corrosion in oil and gas production can lead to pipeline leaks, equipment failures, and costly maintenance issues.

7. Galvanic Corrosion in Industrial Environments

Industrial environments include manufacturing facilities, chemical processing plants, food processing plants, and more. Galvanic corrosion in piping systems, galvanic corrosion in pressure gauges, and galvanic corrosion in pumps are concerns for this environment as they can lead to premature wear and tear of machinery and structural components. 

8. Galvanic Corrosion in Aerospace

Aerospace vehicles, such as airplanes, helicopters, and spacecraft, comprise various materials, including metals like aluminum, titanium, and steel. These metals are often in direct contact with each other, and when they do so in the presence of moisture, salt, or other corrosive substances, galvanic corrosion on aircraft.

How to Test for Galvanic Corrosion

Various strategies for testing galvanic corrosion exist, and KDM Manufacturing offers some of the most effective testing and preventive treatment methods for various industries, including the following:

• Galvanic Series Determination: This test determines the galvanic positioning of the metal in the galvanic corrosion chart. Their electrochemical potential and nobility dictate the rate at which they’ll degrade in the presence of an electrolyte. 
• Corrosion Inhibitor Testing: The galvanic corrosion inhibitor uses the following methods to determine the corrosion resistance of coupled metals.
  • Weight-loss Method: You can monitor galvanic corrosion by measuring the weight loss of the metal samples. Weigh them before and after exposure to the electrolyte; the difference in weight indicates the amount of material that has been corroded.
  • Electrochemical Method: Use a reference electrode to measure the electrochemical potential (voltage) of each metal in the galvanic couple in the same electrolyte. Compare the open-circuit potential (OCP) values of the two metals. If there is a significant difference (usually greater than 0.2 volts), it indicates a higher risk of galvanic corrosion.
  • Electrical Method: Set up a  galvanic cell corrosion test, by immersing the two metals in an electrolyte and connecting them through an ammeter to measure any electrical current flowing between them. An increase in current over time suggests galvanic corrosion is occurring.

• Sensitive Galvanic Current Measurement: This is done using Zero Resistance Ammetry (ZRA), which effectively monitors the dissimilar metals’ electrochemical noise and galvanic current. Aside from ZRA, other testing methods include the polarization curve analysis and sensitivity assessment.

How to Prevent Galvanic Corrosion in Metals 

If you are wondering how to prevent galvanic corrosion between copper and steel or other dissimilar metals, this guide explores the best practices for maintaining the integrity of your structure.

1. Material Compatibility: The first and one of the most common galvanic corrosion prevention methods, is selecting metals with similar corrosion potentials. This will minimize the degradation rate of the coupled metals.
2. Insulation: For Aluminum galvanic corrosion prevention and other metals, breaking the electrical connection is one of the best precautionary measures. It is done by insulating the two metals from each other.
3. Galvanic Corrosion Prevention Coating: Apply coating to prevent galvanic corrosion on both metal alloys. You can opt for hot dip galvanizing corrosion protection using zinc or other metals. Bear in mind that when it comes to this method, the coating on the cathode (less reactive) is the most important. Otherwise, the tendency of degradation will be aggravated.
4. Sacrificial Anode: Another way to prevent galvanic corrosion in your setting is by mounting a sacrificial anode that is anodic to the coupling metals.
5. Corrosion Inhibitors: A corrosion inhibitor is an anti-galvanic corrosion compound that is added to an electrolyte to reduce the corrosion rate of the metals that interact with it, and adding it to the environment will prevent your coupling metals from corroding.

Galvanizing Metal Products to Prevent Corrosion

Galvanization has proven to be one of the most effective ways of reducing the rate and preventing galvanic corrosion on coupling metals. This is why manufacturers use certain materials to coat metal products and extend their life span. The following products can be galvanized to prevent corrosion.

• Bolts: Corrosion galvanized bolts steel plates last longer than ones without proper coating.
• Pipe and Coil: Manufacturers use various materials to ensure that their corrosion galvanized coil and pipe last up to 30 years before experiencing visible degradation.
• Brass Products: Galvanized brass corrosion can only affect metals that are not properly coated, so use a molten pool of zinc hot dip galvanizing to protect brass materials from corroding in a galvanic couple.
• Metal Buckets: Galvanized bucket corrosion has become quite popular since these products are mostly used in storing hazardous chemicals, transporting paints, and storing food products. In these settings, they interact with electrolytes daily, so galvanizing them will reduce their possibility of breaking down quickly.
• Drain Pipes: Whether you’re hot-dip or pre-galvanizing these products, galvanized drain pipe corrosion prevention is not only economical but creates long-term value for your structure.
• Duct: Here, you need to always ensure that galvanized duct construction corrosion resistance welds are properly carried out, or else you’ll risk exposing them more to corrosive media.
• Nails: Nails are one of the most important parts of any construction work, so they need to be strong, properly coated, and durable to avoid galvanized nail corrosion

In addition, galvanized screw corrosion, galvanized sprinkler pipe corrosion, and corrosion on other metal products can be prevented by utilizing professional coating services from certified manufacturers like KDM Fabrication.

Difference Between Galvanic Corrosion and Other Types of Corrosion

Galvanic Corrosion is not the only type of corrosion that affects metals. Electrochemical, crevice, pitting, and biological corrosion also aid in the degradation of various metal products in different settings. However, they are all different; for better understanding here’s a comparison between galvanic corrosion and other kinds of corrosion.

Difference Between Electrochemical Corrosion and Galvanic Corrosion

Electrochemical corrosion involves various corrosion mechanisms involving electrochemical reactions. While it is mostly popular to happen in a galvanic setting, it can still occur in the absence of a galvanic couple—doesn’t necessarily require two different metals in contact. Examples of electrochemical corrosion include uniform corrosion, pitting corrosion, and crevice corrosion.

On the flip side, galvanic corrosion examples is a type of electrochemical corrosion that can only occur when dissimilar metals are coupled and placed in an electrolyte (moisture or saltwater) for an extended period. This interaction makes the most reactive metal (the anode) degrade faster than the less reactive metal (the cathode). 

Difference Between Galvanic and Biological Corrosion

Galvanic corrosion occurs between two different metals in electrical contact exposed to an electrolyte. Meanwhile, for biological corrosion to occur, microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, mussels, protozoa, viruses, algae, or protists must attach to the metal surface. These microorganisms can either release corrosive acids on the metal or gradually eat up the protective layer leaving it susceptible to corrosive media.  

Difference Between Galvanic Corrosion and Crevice Corrosion

The main difference between galvanic corrosion and crevice corrosion is the environment. For galvanic corrosion to occur two metals must be coupled in one environment, whether stagnant or an electrolyte in motion, but for crevice corrosion it is different. Crevice corrosion is a destructive attack on a metal surface at or between two joining surfaces when they are exposed to an immovable electrolyte.

Difference Between Galvanic Corrosion and Pitting Corrosion

Unlike galvanic corrosion, which requires two metals, one will corrode faster than the other. Pitting corrosion occurs on various metals, whether they are alone or coupled. This type of corrosion is highly destructive as it does not only rust the metal surface but creates holes and pits in the affected metals.

Conclusion

Galvanic corrosion can be easily avoided by galvanizing metals or other prevention techniques highlighted in this article. While you can attempt to do it yourself, working with manufacturers with tons of experience working with challenging metals is advisable. So, if you want sheet metal fabrication for various products or have metal finishing needs, send an inquiry to KDM Fabrication today.

FAQs

Does Anodizing Prevent Galvanic Corrosion?

Yes, anodizing can prevent galvanic corrosion. When you anodize aluminum or its alloys, they create an aluminum oxide layer that protects the material from prolonged exposure to moisture, seawater, and other kinds of corrosive media. Also, it is important to know that anodizing is compatible with all common metals.

Does Anti-corrosive Nickel-Plated Copper Stop Galvanic Corrosion?

Yes, anti-corrosive nickel-plated copper increases the strength, surface hardness, and durability of copper, thereby stopping or reducing the impact of galvanic corrosion on the material.  

Does Coating Protect Against Galvanic Corrosion?

Yes, the coating protects against galvanic corrosion. However, the level of the coating will determine how long the protective layer will last. For instance, a hot-dipped galvanized steel coating will last longer than a spray coating. Also, the environment should be considered, to ensure that the material is getting the best protection.

What Is the Economic Importance of Galvanic Corrosion?

Galvanization has an adverse effect on the economy since it can be linked to metal degradation, resulting in high maintenance or replacement costs. However, controlled galvanic corrosion (using sacrificial anodes) is beneficial for industries, because it prevents corrosion on the galvanic couple, leading to lesser repair costs.

Will Dielectric Grease Prevent Galvanic Corrosion?

No. While it can help prevent electrical contact corrosion and improve the longevity of electrical components, it is not effective in preventing galvanic corrosion.