Sacrificial Aluminium Anodes
BSS Technologies manufactures Sacrificial Aluminium Anodes engineered for offshore platforms, subsea pipelines, marine hulls, and storage tanks in seawater and produced brine environments.
What Are Aluminium Anodes and Why They Are Used in Cathodic Protection?
High-capacity aluminium anodes, cast from indium-activated aluminium-zinc alloys, provide long-term cathodic protection in low-resistivity environments like seawater and soils. Their high current output safeguards offshore platforms, pipelines, ship hulls, and tank floors.
When bonded to a steel asset, an aluminium anode creates a natural galvanic cell with a solution potential of −1.10 V vs Ag/AgCl, corroding sacrificially to protect the steel. Delivering over 2,500 Ah/kg—triple the capacity of zinc. Aluminium provides maximum electrical output with minimal weight, reducing structural loads on subsea assets without needing an external power supply.
The Galvanic Principle & Performance
Aluminium sacrificial anodes protect submerged steel through the galvanic principle. Operating at a potential of −1.10 V (vs. Ag/AgCl), the aluminium corrodes preferentially, discharging electrons to keep the steel structure safe.
With a minimum capacity of 2,500 Ah/kg, aluminium significantly outperforms both zinc and magnesium. Its low density (2,750 kg/m³) delivers the highest current-to-weight ratio of any galvanic material, making it a highly economical choice for offshore structures with strict weight and space constraints.
Key Technical Factors for Anode Selection
Selecting the correct aluminium anode configuration requires precise engineering. BSS Technologies calculates optimal anode mass, surface area, and core geometry based on:
Total exposed steel surface area and coating breakdown factors.
Water salinity, resistivity, and sea-current flow velocity.
Required system design life (typically 10 to 30 years).
Maximum ambient operating temperature limits.
Types of Aluminium Anodes We Manufacture & Supply
From standard hull and tank configurations to custom-cast solutions for complex offshore structures, we manufacture and supply reliable corrosion defense tailored to your project requirements.
Platform & Jetty Stand-Off Anodes
Cast with heavy steel cores for structural leg attachment.
Delivers high current output for massive offshore structures.
Designed for 20 to 30 year extended subsea operating lives.
Minimizes structural weight loads on offshore jacket frames.
Compliant with strict DNV RP B401 and GALVALUM III standards.
Subsea Pipeline Bracelet Anodes
Custom hinged or half-shell profiles for rapid pipe fitting.
Low hydrodynamic drag profile prevents seabed snagging.
Integrated steel bonding straps maintain electrical contact.
Maintains stability in marine mud and benthic sediments.
Sized precisely for concrete weight coated marine pipelines.
Storage Tank & Vessel Anodes
Slender geometry distributes protective current evenly.
Resists aggressive produced brines and saline wastewater.
Supplied with flat bar or rod cores for easy internal mounting.
Prevents localized pitting corrosion on internal tank floors.
Optimized for ambient operating temperatures up to 50°C.
Marine Hull & Weld-On Anodes
Streamlined contours reduce water turbulence on vessel hulls.
Exposed steel core straps permit direct structural welding.
High current density provides cost-effective hull protection.
Ideal for commercial vessels tugs barges and coastal ferries.
Provides uniform metal loss over long marine service intervals.
Bolt-On & Specialized Anodes
Pre-drilled mounting holes allow swift diver or crew replacement.
Ideal for internal seawater intake boxes and heat exchangers.
Provides non-sparking cathodic protection in sea chest areas.
Available in compact rectangular and trapezoidal profiles.
Custom alloy casting available for specialized water chemistry.
Your corrosion challenges are our expertise,
Trust the industry leader in cathodic protection
Technical Specifications
BSS Tech aluminium anodes are engineered for reliable performance in demanding environments. They are manufactured under strict quality control to ensure consistent chemical composition and electrochemical output.
Applicable Environments:
Highly effective across seawater, brackish water, saline estuaries, produced brines, industrial process water, marine mud, and low-resistivity soil environments.
Solution Potential:
−1.10 V w.r.t. Ag/AgCl reference cell (−1.15 V w.r.t. Cu/CuSO4).
Electrochemical Capacity:
2,500 Ah/kg minimum (Theoretical capacity: 2,980 Ah/kg).
Anode Density:
2,750 kg/m³.
Temperature Threshold:
Rated for operating temperatures up to 50°C.
Quality Compliance:
Fully compliant with MIL-A-24779, DNV-RP-B401, and GALVALUM III specifications.
Element | MIL-A-24779 | DNV RP B401 | GALVALUM III |
|---|---|---|---|
Silicon (Si) | 0.08 – 0.20 | 0.12 max | 0.08 – 0.20 |
Iron (Fe) | 0.08 max | 0.09 max | 0.13 max |
Zinc (Zn) | 4.0 – 6.5 | 2.5 – 5.75 | 2.0 – 6.0 |
Indium (In) | 0.014 – 0.020 | 0.015 – 0.040 | 0.01 – 0.02 |
Copper (Cu) | 0.005 max | 0.003 max | 0.006 max |
Others (Each) | 0.02 max | 0.02 max | 0.02 max |
Aluminium (Al) | Remainder | Remainder | Remainder |
Element | MIL-A-24779 | DNV RP B401 | GALVALUM III |
|---|---|---|---|
Silicon (Si) | 0.08 – 0.20 | 0.12 max | 0.08 – 0.20 |
Iron (Fe) | 0.08 max | 0.09 max | 0.13 max |
Zinc (Zn) | 4.0 – 6.5 | 2.5 – 5.75 | 2.0 – 6.0 |
Indium (In) | 0.014 – 0.020 | 0.015 – 0.040 | 0.01 – 0.02 |
Copper (Cu) | 0.005 max | 0.003 max | 0.006 max |
Others (Each) | 0.02 max | 0.02 max | 0.02 max |
Aluminium (Al) | Remainder | Remainder | Remainder |
Benefits of BSS Tech Sacrificial Aluminium Anodes
Maximum Current Output
High 2500 Ah/kg electrical capacity provides three times more current per kilogram than traditional zinc anodes.
Lightweight Structural Load
Low metal density minimizes dead-weight loading on offshore jacket frames and subsea pipeline spans.
Custom In-House Casting
In-house foundry enables custom anode and core configurations tailored to specific site current demands.
Strict Quality Standards
Spectrographic batch testing guarantees strict compliance with DNV RP B401 and GALVALUM III specifications.
Extended Subsea Lifespan
Precisely engineered alloy formulations deliver reliable, continuous protection for design lives up to 30 years.
Related Products
Applications of Aluminium Anodes
Areas
Rig jackets
Submerged pipelines
Subsea wellheads
Wind turbine monopiles
Ship Hull
Propellers, shafts, and rudders
Ballast tanks
Sheet pilings and seawalls
Pier and jetty piles
Storage tank bottoms
Heat exchangers
Desalination intakes
Why Choose BSS Tech as Your Preferred Aluminium Anode Manufacturer?
BSS Technologies controls every stage of anode manufacturing at our specialized anode casting facility. Our AMPP/NACE certified engineers calculate precise current demands and design custom core geometries, delivering certified aluminium anodes that protect your offshore assets throughout their entire operational design life.
Direct foundry casting guarantees total alloy traceability.
Custom cores engineered for stand-off or bracelet mounting.
Fully compliant with global DNV and MIL spec standards.
In house industry specialists calculate exact site current demand
