Editing Galvanic anode (section)

{{Short description|Main component of cathodic protection}}
{{Distinguish|Bleeder (resistor)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022|cs1-dates=y}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2019}}

[[File:Sacrificial anode.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|Detailed view of a galvanic anode on the hull of a ship]][[File:Ferry-rudder-and-propeller.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|The bright rectangular objects on these ship components are galvanic anodes.]]

A '''galvanic anode''', or '''sacrificial anode''', is the main component of a galvanic [[cathodic protection]] system used to protect buried or submerged metal structures from [[corrosion]].

They are made from a metal alloy with a more "active" [[voltage]] (more negative [[reduction potential]] / more positive [[oxidation potential]]) than the metal of the structure. The difference in potential between the two metals means that the galvanic anode corrodes, in effect being "sacrificed" in order to protect the structure.