I conducted an experiment mainly in artificial sea-water, in order to investigate whether lead alloy can be used as an anode for cathodic protection. Using “saturated calomel electrode, ” I tested passing natural electrode potential, anode potentials, current and amount of corrosion, respectively.
The followings are the results:
1) As to the corrosion losses concerned, Pb-Ag anode has proved to be highly superior to lead alloy added with As, Sb, Cu, In and Te.
2) For the purpose to improve Pb-Ag anode, the addition of elements such as As, Cu, In and Te are proved to be entirely useless.
3) Pb-Ag-Sb anode is quite effective.
4) In an early stage of electrolysis, Pb alloy anode is corroded mostly.
5) β-PbO
2 is the main composition of the film formed on the surface in the sea-water.
6) Ag and Sn are essential to form a stable film in the early stage of electrolysis.
7) Velocity of forming PbO
2 is the most important factor in attaining corrosion resistance. However, as one can judge from the potentialhour diagram, it is quite unstable and complicated.
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