What Is Galvanic Corrosion and How Can You Prevent It?

Galvanic corrosion refers to corrosion damage that develops when two dissimilar materials are combined in a corrosive electrolyte. This is mostly found in marine environments.

When dissimilar materials or metals combine, they create a positive and negative end of an electric circuit. One of the metals becomes the anode and corrodes faster than it would on its own, while the other becomes the cathode and corrodes slower.

The anode chemical reactions are altered due to changes in the environment, such as when metals are exposed to the same electrolyte such as seawater. In order to prevent corrosion from occurring, the cathode to anode area ratio must be proportional and compatible with each other.

Preventing Galvanic Corrosion

The most common solution to prevent Galvanic Corrosion is to select metals that are close together in the galvanic series. Dissimilar metal combinations should be avoided especially under unfavorable temperature conditions. An example of this is to choose the use of a stainless steel screw on a large aluminum surface rather than a small aluminum screw on a stainless steel surface with seawater.

Materials can be insulated with anti-corrosion tapes for protection. It is also advisable to separate materials with plastic or rubber washers as this will reduce corrosion time.

Get in touch with us at Marsh Fasteners for more information on products that we supply to prevent galvanic corrosion and the best way to protect your materials.

As a leading stainless steel fastener specialist; and partnered with manufacturers and suppliers of the full range of metals and washers used across all industries; we can help you ensure that you use the best products with the highest anti-galvanic corrosion.