OMC I/O Martyr Anode - Curved Block

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Next - OMC I/O Martyr Anode - Donut - Boater's World is your Sacrificial Anode Center. We want to make sure engine troubles don't keep you from having fun on the water! No matter where you choose to do your boating, we have all the right products to help take care of your boat. Read this quick overview on how to protect you engine from corrosion!What causes corrosion? Seawater is a good conductor and freshwater a bad conductor, so corrosion is worse in seawater. Generally, corrosion rates increase in proportion to the amount of oxygen in the water. However, cracks and crevices, which are areas starved of oxygen, become anodic and corrode also. Higher temperature increases corrosion rates - doubling for every 30 degrees C (55 degrees F). There are various types of microorganisms that can contribute to corrosion, either by removing protection or causing a corrosive environment.Why do I need anodes? You need anodes on your engine because when two different metals are in contact, electrons will flow from the more negatively charged metal (anode) to the more positive metal (cathode). If you want to protect both types of metal from corrosion, you must add a third metal such as zinc, although magnesium and aluminum are also used. This active metal becomes the anode for both metals. The zinc or aluminum sacrifices itself to protect the other two metals, hence the term sacrificial anode.Do's and Don'tsDO change your anode when they are 50 percent corroded DO make sure they make good electrical contact - remove paint and clean the mounting surface.DO protect trim tabs individually (do not bond). Although they are usually made from stainless steel they can still corrode and need sacrificial anodes.DO be sure to use new fasteners on sterndrives - even stainless bolts fail as a result of corrosion.DO keep a sterndrive immersed in the water so that the anodes can work. DON'T use zinc anodes on aluminum outdrivesDON'T paint anodes. They will not work to their full potential!DON'T mix anode types - aluminum anodes will try to protect zinc.DON'T use magnesium anodes on outdrives in salt or brackish water as it will overprotect the aluminum. 

Previous - OMC I/O Martyr Anode - Block - What is Corrosion? Corrosion is an electrochemical process of deterioration of metal components when exposed to an aqueous environment (water). This occurs both underwater and in the atmosphere. The deterioration is the process of the metal changing into its oxide form. Steel, for example, will degrade (oxidize) back to its natural stable state - rust (iron ore). You need anodes on your engine because when two different metals are in contact, electrons will flow from the more negatively charged metal (anode) to the more positive metal (cathode). If you want to protect both types of metal you must add a third metal. The most common metal is zinc although magnesium and aluminum are also used. This active metal becomes the anode for both metals. The zinc or aluminum sacrifices itself to protect the other two metals, hence the term sacrificial anode. Zinc is the most common material used. Zinc anodes are not very effective in freshwater and can stop working after only a few months if not made to mil. specifications. It is a good policy to change them regularly, even if they look OK. Remember, if an anode doesn?t wear away it is not working! The aluminum alloy used in anodes is very different from normal aluminum. It includes about 5% zinc and a trace of Indium, which prevents the build up of an oxide layer. Aluminum Anodes last 50% longer and will provide better protection that Zinc. Aluminum anodes can be used in salt and brackish (mix of fresh and salt water) water environments. However in freshwater, due to the increased resistively of the water and reduction of salts, Aluminum and Zinc Anodes will start to passivate, ultimately renders them ineffective. In freshwater it is recommended to use Magnesium Anodes. Magnesium Anodes have a higher driving voltage than Zinc or Aluminum, and therefore are more effective in freshwater. It is not recommended to use Magnesium in saltwater for that very reason.Area and Weight of Anodes The surface area of the sacrificial anodes determines how much protection (amperage) you get. The weight determines how long they will last. Different anodes have different capacities measured in Amp Hours per Pound. The ratio of the area of the cathodic (protected) surface to the anodic (corroding) surface is critical in galvanic corrosion. The smaller the area where the anode is giving up material, the faster it will take place. Ideally the anodic area should be much bigger than the cathodic area. This ratio can be improved by painting the cathodic surface. Never paint the sacrificial anode.Several Factors Affect Corrosion Seawater is a good conductor and freshwater a bad conductor, so corrosion is worse in seawater. Generally, corrosion rates increase in proportion to the amount of oxygen in the water. However, cracks and crevices, which are areas starved of oxygen, become anodic and corrode also. Higher temperature increases corrosion rates - doubling for every 30 degreeC (55 degrees F). There are various types of mic