cathodic protection

American  

noun

1. protection of ferrous metals against electrolysis by the attachment of sacrificial anodes.

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cathodic protection British  

noun

1. metallurgy a technique for protecting metal structures, such as steel ships and pipelines, from electrolytic corrosion by making the structure the cathode in a cell, either by applying an electromotive force directly or by putting it into contact with a more electropositive metal See also sacrificial anode

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Etymology

Origin of cathodic protection

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

Which of these metals could be used as a sacrificial anode in the cathodic protection of an underground steel storage tank?

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

This is cathodic protection and can be used for metals other than just iron.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

If the zinc layer is breached by either corrosion or mechanical abrasion, the iron may still be protected from corrosion by a cathodic protection process, which is described in the next paragraph.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019