ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses various aspects of galvanic corrosion, namely causes, consequences, prevention, and case studies. All metals can be classified into a galvanic series representing the electrical potential they develop in a given electrolyte against a standard reference electrode. Regular maintenance checks discovered that the Statue of Liberty suffered from galvanic corrosion between the outer copper skin and the support structure made of wrought iron. Galvanic corrosion can be prevented by making use of metals that have more or less the same electropotentials. For safety reasons, metal boats connected to a shore line electrical power feed have to have the hull connected to earth. Galvanic corrosion between dissimilar metals and/or alloys, for example, steel and aluminum, can be prevented by proper insulation between the two metals. The most severe problem that required immediate attention was galvanic corrosion between the iron and copper of the iron armature that was in contact with the copper skin.
