Sac­ri­fi­cial An­ode

The sacrificial anode is a block made of an electrochemically less noble metal. It is used in surface technology to protect components made of a more noble metal from corrosive attack. Together with the metal to be protected, the sacrificial anode forms a so-called local element when exposed to moisture. This means: The sacrificial anode dissolves - i.e. "sacrifices" itself - and in this way protects the more noble metal from corrosion.

The sacrificial anode principle is used in both electroplating and in cathodic corrosion protection.