Manufacturers
of professional quality stainless steel hand tools designed for use in critical
production, sterile, Cleanroom, or corrosive environments
Galvanic Corrosion
When two different metals are immersed in a corrosive solution, each develop a corrosion potential. If the corrosion potential of the two metals is significantly different, and they are in direct contact immersed in an electrolyte, the more noble will become the cathode and the more active metal will become the anode. A measurable current may flow between the anode and the cathode. The corrosion rate of the anode will be increased and the cathode decreased. This increase in corrosion of the anode is called galvanic corrosion.
The greater the corrosion potential of each metal (the more active or more noble) the greater the likelihood for corrosion. The following list shows the various metals in order from most active to most noble:
| Magnesium | Anodic |
| Galvanized Steel | |
| Aluminum | |
| Mild Steel | |
| Low Alloy Steel | |
| Cast Iron | |
| Lead | |
| Tin | |
| Muntz Metal | |
| Yellow Brass | |
| Red Brass | |
| Copper | |
| Aluminum Bronze | |
| Stainless Steel (430) | |
| Stainless Steel (304) | |
| Stainless Steel (316) | |
| Monel | |
| Silver | |
| Titanium | |
| Gold | Cathodic |
The greater the separation between two metals listed, the greater the corrosion potential. For example, if zinc, an active material, and stainless steel, a noble metal, were in direct contact in the presence of an electrolyte (water), galvanic corrosion would most likely occur.
In addition, the relative area of each of the exposed metal surfaces is also a consideration. If the area of the cathode (noble metal) is very large in relation to the anode (active metal), the current produced is likely to be high and the anode will corrode quickly. If the area of the cathode is small compared to the anode the anode will corrode very slowly, if at all.
_________________________
| home | index of tools | view shopping cart | download product catalog | about Steritool | Steritool FAQ | Steritool news | press releases | care and maintenance | galvanic corrosion | stainless steel descriptions | Steritool direct |