Magnesium anodes for boats are among the few common types of anodes that are used for cathodic corrosion protection. These anodes help shield your expensive boat metals from corrosion as they sacrifice themselves to protect your expensive boat metals. Magnesium anodes are widely used in fresh water, such as lakes, rivers, or canals. Other commonly used anode types are zinc and aluminum.
Magnesium anodes are more active than the metal of your ship or boat. This means that they oxidize/dissolve in water faster and more readily than your expensive boat metals. With this, the effects of corrosion don't reach the base metal as long as the anode is performing its job effectively.
In the situation that the anode dissolves to a size that's much smaller than its original size, the anode will not perform its task effectively. It is highly recommended that as a boat owner, you check your anodes from time to time. Once they have significantly reduced in size, it would become difficult to continue the corrosion protection cycle effectively.
In addition to ships and boats, these anodes are also used on other structures such as barges, piers, pipelines, underground vessels, heat exchangers and so on.
When you install an anode...
The manner in which an anode is installed determines much of its effective functioning. If your anode is installed incorrectly or loosely, it faces the risk of coming loose. If it is installed at the wrong spot, it will fail to perform as intended. Hence, installation is a task that needs to be carried out with care.
There are certain manufacturers that are reputed for manufacturing easy-to-install anodes that are also equally easy to uninstall and replace.
When installing, always ensure that a good physical and electrical connection is present between the anode and the metal to be protected. If the electrical connection is poor, the protection will be poor too. Always clean the area where an anode is to be mounted.
Painting an anode can cut off its contact with the base metal. This will adversely affect the performance of the anode and corrosion will begin to show its effect on the boat's expensive boat metals. Some people think that painting anodes will extend their life, but this couldn't be farther from the truth.
Ultimately, a lot depends on the anode name brand that you are using. Always make sure that you purchase anodes from a reputable manufacturer. Another option is to procure magnesium anodes from a distributor. This will give you access to a wide variety of anodes under a single roof.
Many distributors sell magnesium anodes for boats via online websites, making your purchase quick and easy. In fact, websites offer significant discounts that could help you save hundreds of dollars on bulk purchases.
