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Marine Corrosion
Today, much of our infrastructure built
upon steel components is seriously
threatened by a destructive and
persistent enemy: corrosion. If not
properly protected, your marine
facility is corroding right now as you
read this web page. The rate of
corrosion for clean, bare steel is at
least 5 mils per year. This loss in
material thickness can be greatly
accelerated by variations in water
composition, oxygen concentration
cells associated with marine growth,
and water velocity.
Many marine facility owners mistakenly believe that the coating of all submerged
steel eliminates the need for cathodic protection. However, as much as 50% of
the coating on a steel marine structure can be damaged, or completely removed
during construction. Even undamaged coatings suffer from the presence of
microscopic pinholes, which lead to the development of concentrated areas of
corrosion. This severe form of pitting corrosion can have corrosion rates as high
as 50 mils to 80 mils per year - resulting in complete penetration of 1/4" steel
plate in under four years.
Cathodic Protection
The preferred technique for mitigating
marine corrosion, based on historical
performance and measurable results, is
cathodic protection (CP) - the practice of
using electrochemical reactions to prevent
the corrosion of steel structures. The reason
for increased acceptance: cathodic
protection prevents corrosion on underwater
structures.
Disk Anode
The Disk Anode was designed in conjunction with the U.S.
Army Construction Engineering Research Lab for use on
navigational locks and dam gates. This anode system is also suitable for use on
seawater intake structures, vessel internals, and sheet piling when shoreside
access is possible.
Retractable Mount
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For installations where it is deemed necessary to access the anode for periodic
maintenance, or when current is only required on a periodic basis, the retractable
anode allows the user to easily retrieve the anode. The above illustration is
rotated by 90 degrees.
Sled Anodes
Anodes mounted on the sea bed
typically afford the best spread of
protection on a marine structure. Sled
anodes can be designed for operation
in either seawater or buried in the
mud. The Post Tension Sled was
developed to insure anode operation
out of the mud when resting in silty
and soft sea beds. By adjusting the
height of the concrete sled, the mesh
anode sled can also be designed for
operation out of the mud. The
advantage of this type of sled is its low
profile, thereby limiting the potential for
damage by anchors, fishing nets, etc.
Suspension Anodes
Suspension Anode Delivery Systems allow for strategic
placement of anodes in and around a marine facility, providing
optimum distribution of current. Many suspended anode systems
are also suitable for mounting on pilings, or other structural steel.
Rod Anode
Although incorporated into a variety of anode delivery systems,
the rod anode is most commonly used for the cathodic protection
of seawater intake structures and vessel internals.
Background on ELTECH
Marine CP Technology
Proprietary technology, in tandem with advanced products and engineering,
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