Corrosion of Metals by Alternating Stray Current

Abstract

A brief review of the technical literature shows that numerous investigations have been made on alternating stray current electrolytic corrosion of lead, iron, copper, alminum and other metals.
Alternating current corrosion on lead, iron and copper seems to be caused mainey during the anodic half cycle, but alternating current corrosion on alminum may be caused during both anodic and cathodic cycles.
Alternating current corrosion may be also caused by the rectification effects of corrosion product film and or polarization.
Weight loss effect of alternating current on lead, iron and copper is less than 2 percents compared with the effect of equal direct current, but its effect on alminum is very high and more than 40 percents of equal direct current.
The effective remedial measures of alternating current corrosion are selective drainage method and cathodic protection by galvanic anodes.