Galvanische Korrosion
Galvanic corrosion occurs when two different metals are electrically connected in the presence of an electrolyte (such as seawater). One metal (the anode) corrodes faster, while the other (the cathode) is protected.
Where does galvanic corrosion occur?
This type of corrosion is common in:
- Marine & Offshore wind – steel/aluminium combinations on hulls, decks, towers.
- Oil & Gas – stainless steel bolts on carbon steel structures, offshore platforms.
- Petrochemical & Chemical plants – mixed-metal piping systems.
- Infrastructure – bridges or cranes using dissimilar metals.
For you as an asset owner, galvanic corrosion means accelerated and unexpected degradation, especially in offshore and marine environments where seawater acts as a strong electrolyte.
Extra explanation and causes
- Electrochemical potential difference between two metals creates a current.
- Anodic metal corrodes much faster than it would alone.
- Cathodic metal is protected but may mask the damage.
- Large cathode-to-anode ratio accelerates attack on the anodic metal.
Typical galvanic pairs:
- Carbon steel with stainless steel.
- Aluminium with steel.
- Copper alloys with steel.
Pinovo’s role in galvanic corrosion
Pinovo supports inspection and repair of galvanic corrosion by:
- Safely removing coatings and corrosion products around mixed-metal joints.
- Exposing the affected areas for visual or NDT inspection.
- Preparing the surface so isolation coatings or barrier systems can be applied.
Pinovo does not stop galvanic corrosion itself but ensures the substrate is clean, safe, and ready for long-term solutions like protective coatings, insulating gaskets, or composite wraps.
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Do you want to uncover galvanic corrosion and prepare surfaces for protective solutions?
Request a demo or training to see how Pinovo makes galvanic corrosion visible and manageable.