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What is corrosion?
Corrosion is a chemical change that occurs on the surface of a metal and rusting is the most common example. Few metals ever escape corrosion in water, no matter what their quality, including "stainless" steel. Gold or platinum do not corrode, but their cost and other physical properties make them unsuitable for water storage heaters.
Corrosion begins its destructive process as a result of small flaws in metal surfaces, at weld points, or from stress. We assume that water is not corrosive. This is not the case, and some water supplies are more corrosive than others. Hot water storage systems are not immune from corrosion and the most effective way of dealing with the problem is to fuse the inside of a strong steel storage tank with a ceramic lining. (see also Fact File 005)
Protecting Against Corrosion
Solahart take corrosion protection further by the installation of a simple replaceable component that takes the brunt of any corrosive potential the water may have. By using a bare metal component (known as an "anode") that is more readily corrodible, it protects both the tank and other components such as the booster.
This approach to corrosion protection is employed all over the world where metal objects are immersed in water. Literally billions of dollars invested in ships and oil rigs world wide, are all protected by replaceable anodes, withstanding the harshest of climates and water conditions.
Over time, the anode dissolves, releasing a completely harmless magnesium salt into the water. The life of the anode varies with the quality of the water - it may be five years before replacement, it may be fifteen. Apart from the anode, bare steel is never exposed to water in the system. With some of Solahart's products the minimum life of the anode will extend to twelve years.
There is another advantage with an anode - it is much cheaper and simpler to replace than a complete tank. |
