What is the process called in which electrical current is applied to counteract corrosion?

The process of applying electrical current to counteract corrosion is known as cathodic protection. This technique is used to prevent the electrochemical reactions that lead to corrosion in metal structures, such as pipelines and tanks. In cathodic protection, a negative charge is introduced to the metal structure, which helps to reduce the oxidation reactions that are responsible for corrosion. By making the cathode more negative, it becomes less likely to lose electrons to the surrounding environment, effectively slowing down or preventing corrosion.

In this method, an external power source, such as a rectifier, is often used to provide the necessary current that flows to the metal structure. This allows for a controlled means of protecting the metal parts, as opposed to relying solely on the natural galvanic actions that might occur due to environmental conditions.

While other corrosion protection methods exist, such as using sacrificial anodes, which rely on the galvanic action of more reactive metals to corrode instead of the protected metal, cathodic protection specifically involves the application of electrical current and is distinct from chemical processes or passive methods. The targeted application of electrical current makes cathodic protection a powerful and widely used technique in corrosion prevention.