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Cathodic protection, about

Cathodic Protection (CP) – Prevent Corrosion in Steel, Pipelines, and Marine Structures

Cathodic Protection (CP) is a proven electrochemical corrosion protection method for metal structures in water, soil, concrete, and other electrolytes. By using either sacrificial anodes or an impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) system, CP stops corrosion at its source and protects critical assets such as ships, pipelines, offshore installations, tanks, and harbor infrastructure.

Unlike coatings alone, cathodic protection can be implemented both on new constructions and on existing structures that are already corroding, making it one of the most reliable long-term solutions to extend service life, reduce maintenance costs, and ensure structural integrity in harsh environments.
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Why is Cathodic Protection needed?

Corrosion has been a problem since man began to use metals. Except for gold and a few other metals, metals do not occur as a basic elements in nature. They are found primarily as oxides and minerals in various forms. From this bonded form, the metals must be manufactured industrially under the addition of energy.

Most pure metals represent a higher energy state than they have in nature as ore. One can therefore also expect these metals to spontaneously try to return to the natural, more stable state. This is precisely what happens when corrosion occurs. In order to counter this natural process, there is an opportunity to electrochemically corrosion protect the object.
In comparison with other protection methods such as. painting, cathodic protection has many advantages. The main difference is that the protection can be applied at any time, even on old constructions that have already begun to corrode. Cathodic protection today is standard for ships, offshore facilities and gas pipelines, and constructions where no corrosion is allowed at all.

Corrosion is a natural process that drives most metals to return to their original, stable state as oxides—essentially reversing the energy-intensive industrial process used to produce them. Left untreated, corrosion steadily weakens steel and other metals, leading to costly repairs, reduced service life, and potential safety risks. Cathodic protection (CP) is one of the most reliable and long-term solutions because it stops corrosion through an electrochemical method rather than simply covering the surface. Unlike coatings or paint alone, cathodic protection can be applied at any stage, even to older structures that have already begun to corrode, and continues to protect hidden or submerged areas where coatings often fail. That’s why cathodic protection is the global standard for ships, offshore structures, pipelines, and critical infrastructure—anywhere corrosion is not an option and maximum durability is required.
Galvanic Anodes Sacrificial Anodes for Corrosion protection
Detail image of corrosion

Corrosion Explained

We can tell you a few things, with over 35 years of experience we can tell you a lot. But we'll keep it simple.
Corrosion on steel in water or soil is always of electrochemical nature. This means that when the steel corrodes, an electric current flows while chemical reactions occur.

It can also be said that the chemical reactions generate an electrical current, the corrosion current flowing out of the corrosive metal. In order for a metal to corrode, two chemical reactions, an oxidation, consisting of a metal dissolution, and a reduction of any other substance, usually oxygen or hydrogen ions, are required.

Oxidation is called anode reaction and the reduction, cathode response.

How Cathodic Protection Works (and What We Can Protect)

Cathodic protection works by stopping the corrosion reaction at its source. Corrosion happens when a metal surface contains both anodic and cathodic areas, allowing a corrosion current to flow through an electrolyte such as seawater, freshwater, wet soil, or concrete. Cathodic protection eliminates this corrosion current by forcing the entire structure to behave like a cathode, where metal loss does not occur. In practice, this is achieved in two proven ways:

1) Sacrificial Anode Cathodic Protection (Galvanic CP):
More active metals such as zinc, aluminum, or magnesium anodes are electrically connected to the structure. These anodes “sacrifice” themselves by corroding instead of the protected steel. This method is highly reliable, requires minimal maintenance, and is widely used on marine and underwater assets.

2) Impressed Current Cathodic Protection (ICCP):
An external DC power source drives protective current through inert anodes, allowing precise control of protection levels. ICCP is ideal for larger structures, long pipelines, and installations where high performance, monitoring, and long service life are required.

Because cathodic protection works electrochemically, it protects areas that coatings alone often cannot—such as submerged zones, buried sections, crevices, welds, and shielded surfaces. It can also be applied to existing structures, even after corrosion has started, making it one of the most cost-effective methods to extend asset life and reduce maintenance.
  • Ships and boats
  • Offshore structures
  • Pipelines
  • Harbor and coastal infrastructure
  • Tanks and water systems
  • Reinforced concrete structures
  • Industrial structures

Related pages

Sacrifical Anodes

Sacrificial anodes are crucial in cathodic protection systems, as they actively corrode in place of the structure being protected. Made from metals like zinc, aluminum, or magnesium, these anodes provide protection and effectively halting the corrosion process.
Read more

Galvanic Corrosion

Galvanic corrosion occurs when two dissimilar metals are electrically connected in the presence of an electrolyte such as seawater or moisture—causing the more active metal to corrode faster. Learn how galvanic corrosion develops, which metal combinations are most at risk, and how to prevent damage using correct material selection, isolation, and cathodic protection.
Read more

ICCP

ICCP systems use an external power source to supply a continuous protective current to the structure. Unlike sacrificial anodes, ICCP systems offer precise control over the protection levels, making them ideal for larger or more complex structures like pipelines and marine vessels.
Read more

AMA

AMA (Allmän Material- och Arbetsbeskrivning) is a key Swedish standard for construction specifications—and it includes important guidance for cathodic protection work. Explore the relevant AMA sections, how they impact design and installation requirements, and how to specify cathodic protection correctly to ensure long-term corrosion protection, quality assurance, and compliance in infrastructure projects.
Read more
Our offer within Cathodic Protection: Consultation, Design, Installation, Maintenance and Material
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We are one of Scandinavia's leading suppliers of cathodic protection since 1989. Our headquarters are located in Ramlösa, Helsingborg, in southern Sweden.

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