Galvanic Corrosion
Galvanic corrosion (also known as contact corrosion or bimetallic corrosion) is an electrochemical process in which a less noble metal (anode) corrodes at an accelerated rate when it is electrically connected to a more noble metal (cathode) in the presence of an electrolyte such as water or moisture.
Where does galvanic corrosion occur?
This type of corrosion commonly occurs in:
- Marine & Offshore Wind – steel/aluminium combinations on hulls, decks, and turbine structures.
- Oil & Gas – stainless steel fasteners connected to carbon steel structures and offshore platforms.
- Petrochemical & Chemical – piping systems that combine dissimilar metals.
- Infrastructure – bridges and cranes constructed with different metal combinations.
For you as an asset owner, galvanic corrosion can lead to accelerated and often unexpected material degradation, particularly in offshore and marine environments where saltwater acts as a highly conductive electrolyte.
Extra explanation and causes
- The electrochemical potential difference between two metals creates an electrical current.
- The anodic metal corrodes much faster than it would without contact with the second metal.
- The cathodic metal is protected, which often allows damage to remain unnoticed for long periods.
- A large cathode-to-anode surface area ratio accelerates attack on the anodic metal.
Common galvanic metal combinations include:
- Carbon steel and stainless steel.
- Aluminium and steel.
- Copper alloys and steel.
Pinovo’s role in galvanic corrosion
Pinovo supports the inspection and remediation of galvanic corrosion by:
- Safely removing coatings and corrosion products at joints between dissimilar metals.
- Exposing affected areas for visual inspection or non-destructive testing (NDT).
- Preparing surfaces for insulating coatings or barrier systems.
Pinovo does not prevent galvanic corrosion itself, but ensures that surfaces are clean, safe, and properly prepared for long-term protection measures such as coatings, insulating gaskets, or composite repairs.
Contact Us
Do you want to detect galvanic corrosion at an early stage and prepare surfaces for long-term protection?
Contact us to learn how Pinovo’s dust-free vacuum blasting technology helps reveal galvanic corrosion and prepares surfaces for coatings, insulation systems, or composite repairs.rüber zu erfahren, wie Pinovos staubfreies Vakuumstrahlverfahren dazu beiträgt, galvanische Korrosion sichtbar zu machen und Oberflächen für Beschichtungen, Isolationssysteme oder Verbundreparaturen vorzubereiten.