Editing Galvanic anode (section)

==Anode materials==
[[File:Anodes,jpg.jpg|thumb|A steel wide-beam [[canal]] [[barge]], showing a newly blacked hull and new magnesium anodes.]]
There are three main metals used as galvanic anodes: [[magnesium]], [[aluminum]] and [[zinc]]. They are all available as blocks, rods, plates or extruded ribbon. Each material has advantages and disadvantages.

Magnesium has the most negative electropotential of the three (see [[galvanic series]]) and is more suitable for areas where the electrolyte (soil or water) resistivity is higher. This is usually on-shore pipelines and other buried structures, although it is also used on boats in fresh water and in water heaters. In some cases, the negative potential of magnesium can be a disadvantage: if the potential of the protected metal becomes too negative, reduction of water or solvated protons may evolve hydrogen atoms on the cathode surface, for instance according to{{NumBlk|:|<chem>2 H2O + 2e- -> 2H + 2OH- (aq)</chem>|{{EquationRef|4}}}}

leading to [[hydrogen embrittlement]] or to disbonding of the coating.<ref>Peabody p.37</ref><ref name="S10:44">Schreir 10:44</ref> Where this is a concern, zinc anodes may be used. An aluminum-zinc-tin alloy called KA90 is commonly used in marine and water heater applications.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.asminternational.org/home/-/journal_content/56/33542825/508179/PUBLICATION-CONFERENCEPAPER-TEMPLATE |title=80251 KA90 Aluminum Alloy Anodes in Hot and Cold Seawater and Brine Environments |publisher=ASM International |access-date=2022-01-04  |archive-date=2022-01-04  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104002535/https://www.asminternational.org/home/-/journal_content/56/33542825/508179/PUBLICATION-CONFERENCEPAPER-TEMPLATE |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Zinc and aluminium are generally used in salt water, where the resistivity is generally lower and magnesium dissolves relatively quickly by reaction with water under hydrogen evolution (self-corrosion). Typical uses are for the hulls of ships and boats, offshore pipelines and production platforms, in salt-water-cooled marine engines, on small boat propellers and rudders, and for the internal surface of storage tanks. 

Zinc is considered a reliable material, but is not suitable for use at higher temperatures, as it tends to [[Passivation (chemistry)|passivate]] (the oxide layer formed shields from further oxidation); if this happens, current may cease to flow and the anode stops working.<ref>Baeckmann, Schwenck, Prinz. p.185</ref> Zinc has a relatively low driving voltage, which means in higher-resistivity soils or water it may not be able to provide sufficient current. However, in some circumstances &mdash; where there is a risk of [[hydrogen embrittlement]], for example &mdash; this lower voltage is advantageous, as overprotection is avoided.<ref name="S10:43">Shreir 10:43</ref>

Aluminium anodes have several advantages, such as a lighter weight, and much higher capacity than zinc. However, their electrochemical behavior is not considered as reliable as zinc, and greater care must be taken in how they are used. Aluminium anodes will passivate where chloride concentration is below 1,446 [[parts per million]].<ref name="nace paper">{{citation |author-first1=O. |author-last1=de Rincon |author-first2=M. |author-last2=Sanchez |author-first3=O. |author-last3=Salas |author-first4=G. |author-last4=Romero |author-first5=C. |author-last5=Palacios |author-first6=J. |author-last6=Basile |author-first7=J. |author-last7=Suarez |author-first8=M. |author-last8=de Romero |author-first9=R. |author-last9=Zamora |contribution=Comparative behavior of sacrificial anodes based on Mg, Zn, and Al alloys in brackish water |title=Comparative Behavior of Sacrificial Anodes Based on Mg, Zn, and Al Alloys in Brackish Water |publisher=NACE |pages=15 |date=2010 |contribution-url=http://www.onepetro.org/mslib/servlet/onepetropreview?id=NACE-10398 |access-date=2013-09-05}}</ref>

One disadvantage of aluminium is that if it strikes a rusty surface, a large [[thermite]] spark may be generated, so its use is restricted in tanks where there may be explosive atmospheres and there is a risk of the anode falling.<ref name="S10:44"/>

Since the operation of a galvanic anode relies on the difference in electropotential between the anode and the cathode, practically any metal can be used to protect some other, providing there is a sufficient difference in potential. For example, iron anodes can be used to protect copper.<ref>Shreir 10:12</ref>