Understanding how Galvanic Corrosion Effects your Water Pumps
Electric water pumps, commonly used for boreholes and in factories, are at risk to galvanic corrosion by their very nature. While there are treatments you can use to keep them protected from this naturally occurring phenomenon. Galvanic corrosion can whittle the structure of a water pump down in no time at all, and when left unattended can completely compromise its integrity. So to help you better combat this unwanted scourge, we will tell you more about how galvanic corrosion occurs.
Anodes and Cathodes: The Process of Galvanic Corrosion
Galvanic corrosion, as I have said, occurs naturally, but requires fairly specific conditions.
It firstly needs the presence of at least two metals of varying quality. One that will act as the anode, and one that acts as a cathode.
There also needs to be the presence of an electrolyte that reacts between the two metals, and in the case of electric water pumps, this electrolyte is always present.
The presence of water can also speed up the galvanic corrosion process, which is obviously present with water pumps.
Now that we know what ingredients are needed for galvanic corrosion to occur, let’s see how they interact together.
As I have said above one metal will act as an anode while other will act as a cathode. An anode is an electrode that allows conventional currents to enter into a polarized electrical device. The metal that acts as the cathode, will, by contrast, allow an electrical current to leave the electrical device.
When these two metals come into contact with an electrolyte and an electrical conducting path between the metals, galvanic corrosion begins to occur.
This corrosion will spread out from the concentrated centre where the electrolyte interacts with the anode metal and the cathode metal, eating away at the structure of the lesser metal. If left unattended for a long period of time, this corrosion will ultimately reduce a pump down to its frame, and eventually become inoperable.
Sourcing pumps that are made from corrosive resistant materials will ensure that they last longer in the face of galvanic corrosion. Metals can also be treated on a regular basis to keep them protected.
Contact Ernest Electro for Details
If you are in the market for high-quality, locally made electric water pumps for your property or establishment, feel free to call a representative from Ernest Electro today, or visit our website for details.