Galvanic Corrosion

Galvanic corrosion (also known as bimetallic corrosion) is an electrochemical process where two dissimilar metals are placed within a conductive solution and are electrically conducted. This corrosion damage can occur with the current of a galvanic cell consisting of two dissimilar conductors in an electrolyte or two similar conductors in dissimilar electrolytes. Where the two dissimilar metals are in contact, the resulting action is referred to as “couple action.”

Steps to avoid this type of corrosion include selecting metals with similar corrosion potentials, insulating them from one another, applying coatings to both materials or adding a corrosion inhibitor to the environment.

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