Sacrificial Anodes are highly active metals that prevent a less active material surface from corroding. This effectively stops the oxidation reactions on the metal of the structure that is to be protected. They are created from a metal alloy with a more negative electrochemical potential than the other metal it will be used to protect. The Sacrificial Anode gets its name from the fact it is used in place of the metal it is protecting, hence “Sacrificial” Anode.

Sacrificial Anode
Sacrificial Anodes

The materials used for Sacrificial Anodes are either relatively pure active metals such as, zinc or magnesium, or magnesium or aluminium alloys that have been specifically developed for Sacrificial Anode use. The Sacrificial Anode works by introducing another metal surface with a more negative electrochemical potential. The current will then flow from the newly introduced anode and the protected metal will become cathodic, creating a galvanic cell. The oxidation reactions are then transferred from the metal surface to the galvanic anode and will be sacrificed in positive effect of the protected metal structure. With over 40 years’ experience, at  Jennings Anodes USA we are able to manufacture 4 types of Sacrificial Anodes; Aluminium Anodes, Magnesium Anodes, Water Box Anodes and Zinc Ribbon Anodes.