What Does
Aluminum Anode Mean?
An aluminum anode is a type of sacrificial anode. It is called a sacrificial anode because it sacrifices itself by becoming corroded instead of a more important metal item or piece of equipment. Sacrificial anodes are made from materials that corrode easily and are deliberately installed in pipes and tanks, leaving the rest of the system relatively corrosion-free.
A sacrificial anode is also called a galvanic anode. Aluminum anodes are also known as aluminum sacrificial anodes.
Corrosionpedia Explains Aluminum Anode
Aluminum anodes are commonly used sacrificial anodes that keep many types of industrial equipment corrosion-free.
They are used in:
- Ship hulls
- Water heaters
- Pipelines
- Distribution systems
- Above-ground tanks
- Underground tanks
- Refineries
The other most common sacrificial anodes are magnesium and zinc anodes.
Benefits of using aluminum anodes are:
- They are better than zinc or magnesium anodes because they are more active.
- Unlike magnesium anodes, they are not dangerous in salt or brackish water.
- They last longer and are the only type of sacrificial anode type that can be used in any water (e.g., fresh water, brackish or saline).
- They are 2.5 times thicker than zinc or magnesium anodes, thus they protect the equipment for a longer time.