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Anode Systems

Revolutionizing Steel Dock Protection

How Does Our System Work?

Image by Joshua Chai

What is Corrosion?

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We have all seen corrosion at some point in our lives, and specific examples can include vehicles, bridges, playgrounds, or even metal tools. In most cases, people are able to identify corrosion, but not everyone understands fully what is happening when objects corrode. Most metals found on the periodic table can corrode, however, only steel and iron can rust. Rust is what most people think of when they see corrosion.

 

Corrosion is when two elements react together simultaneously: reduction and oxidization. This is called a redox reaction. A reduction reaction is when atoms gain electrons, and oxidization is when atoms lose electrons. The most common example of this reaction is rust. 

What is Rust?

Rust is metal that is returning to its thermodynamically favoured state. We take the metals from their pure elemental form and manipulate them to create and fulfill our needs for items we use daily. This can include items such as screws, nuts, and bolts. Unfortunately, we can’t stop rust from occurring, as it is a natural process. But there is a solution to help control the rustication of these metals. For this to occur, we need three main ingredients: an Electrolyte Solution, Iron, and Oxygen.

How Does Dock Shield Protect Your Dock?

Dock Shield uses sacrificial anode technology to protect your steel dock from corrosion and decay over time. A sacrificial anode is a more active metal than the metal that it is trying to protect, which means it gives up electrons much easier. In turn, the anode will corrode while the steel piles in the water stay the same.  

How Does it All Work?

All three of the main ingredients stated before are sitting right on your shoreline. Your steel dock is currently sitting in one of the best electrolyte solutions there is, as the water surrounding the steel pile is composed of one-third of oxygen. As a result, Dock Shield's corrosion protection system will sacrifice itself instead of the steel piles in the water. The anode submerged in the electrolyte solution gives off ions that force electrons through the bonding back into your steel dock. Since your steel dock’s electrons are being replenished, corrosion comes to an almost complete stop, increasing the longevity and safety of the steel structure. 

Why Should I Protect My Dock?

As rust starts to form on your steel dock under the water, your docks' structural integrity is being compromised. The deeper the rust digs itself into the structure of your dock, your steel structure will become very weak. Over time, the rust will continue to eat away at the structure until one day there is a catastrophic failure resulting in massive property or personal damage.   

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