Electrolysis & Corrosion

The term "electrolysis", which is a misnomer of the recreational boating community, refers to natural galvanic and accidental electrolytic corrosion. Corrosion of metals is a complex and multiform electro-chemical phenomenon: it implies electrical measurable currents and is a matter of concern for crews safety as well as money value of concerned boats.

Corrosion is the result of an electrons movement (generating an electric current of opposite flow), natural or accidental, between an anode (of a given potential metal, i.e. your zinc anodes) and a cathode (less electro-negative, or, more electro-positive potential metal, i.e. your aluminium sail-drive's leg), conductively linked and immersed in the same electrolyte (i.e. sea water). There are loss of material at the anode and protection at the cathode, hence the term "cathodic protection".

Galvanic corrosion is due to natural potential differences between different metals in contact in a same electrolyte (water), which generates a very low intensity electrical current: the corrosion current. It is effectively adressed by sacrificial anodes which deliver a protection current, opposing the corrosion current. Attention, cathodic protection such obtained must not be presumed but measured!

Electrolytic corrosion, on the other hand, is induced by an additional and accidental direct current: the stray current, which amplify in a way or another - according to polarity - the effects of the corrosion current. Attention, harmful stray currents from on board or ashore always seek going to "earth" and are responsible for accelerated corrosion of the conductive metal at the outgoing point to sea! Anodes are of no use in this case and only early detection and quick elimination will preserve your boat from costly consequences!

Corrosion protection of immersed metals is performed by their natural oxidation layer or by the paint system supplemented with cathodic protection (anodes...). Efficiency depends upon achieved value of their corrosion potential, expressed in (-)mV. Like human physical temperature, control is done with a dedicated device, through a simple measurement with instantaneous understanding: corrosion potential must remain within protective range (green zone above). Value shows protection level given by anodes, which are in their key role, and warns you about eventual harmful stray currents from on board or ashore.

In a same metal an anode area always destroys itself in favor of a cathode area which is thus protected. When such areas are deliberatly created by linking together different metals (sacrificial anodes) or other means, this is then called "cathodic protection".

Sacrificial anodes must always deliver the right amount of protection current to counteract the corrosion current, and be replaced when inadequate. According to polarity, stray currents may cause over- or under- cathodic protection situations.

Under cathodic protection implies more or less corrosive attacks on steel (above pic. n°2) and aluminium (above pic. n°3). It happens when corrosion potential is higher than the maximum requested value. Over cathodic protection may cause bubling and disbonding of underwater paints (above pic. n°1), if not more serious damages. It happens when corrosion potential is lower than the minimum requested value (algebraic meaning).

These may, of course, affects safety of navigation and result in costly maintenance operations or parts replacement.

Involvment of alternative current has not been scientifically proven concerning corrosion of immersed metal equipments of ships. However, the earthing wire of 230 V shore power might carry direct stray currents, potentially very dangerous for your immersed metal equipments if, as requested by safety regulations, it is connected to the boat's earth. This promotes indeed a corrosive loop, necessary for corrosion to occur. As you can never guess quality of shore or neighbourhood installations, prevention goes through regular control of corrosion potential and availability of appropriate protection devices: galvanic isolators or isolation transformers.

It's no use tripping breakers to keep safe: the earth wire by-pass all switches...