SKM ALUMINIUM ANODE BROCHURE

GENERAL

Presently, the most commonly employed sacrificial metals for cathodic protection systems is
alloys of aluminium (Al). Aluminium has attained considerable merit as the basis for a galvanic
anode in oil and gas environments mainly due to its low density, large electrochemical
equivalent, availability, thermal and electrical conductivity, high current capacity, low specific
weight and reasonable cost. Aluminium anodes are readily adaptable to a variety of saline
environments such as seawater, marine muds and brackish waters. Pure and unalloyed
aluminium adopts a relatively noble solution potential in saline media as a result of the
formation of a thin, continuous, adherent and passive layer of γ-Al2O3 on its surface, hence it
cannot be used as a sacrificial anode.
This γ-Al2O3 compound is the cause of rapid polarization when aluminium is placed under a
corrosion load in a cathodic protection circuit. Nevertheless, the success of the aluminium
anode depends upon the alloying of certain metals whose primary role is to ultimately
prevent the formation of a continuous, adherent and protective oxide film on the surface of
the alloy, those permitting continuous galvanic activity of the Aluminium.
The SKM Aluminum Anodes are cast from the highest purity aluminum ingot to conform
with the following material composition:

Element Composition (Weight%)

Iron 0.12 maximum
Silicon 0.08 – 0.20
Copper 0.006 maximum
Zinc 2.0 – 4.0
Indium 0.01 – 0.02
Other (each) 0.02 maximum
Aluminium Remainder
 Anode oper circuit potential
-1.05 – -1.1. Volt
(vs Ag/AgCl reference cell)

Electrochemical capacity in
2540 – 2730 Amp-Hr/Kg
Seawater @ 26 degree C

Consumption rate in seawater

3.21 – 3.44 Kg/Amp-Yr
@ 26 degree C

Efficiency 85% to 92%

Note : All weights and dimensions are nominal and subject to variation in material
compositions. Alternative configurations may be cast to requirements.
 Aluminium Shipping Anodes Dimensions

Anode Alloy WT Gross WT Anode Dimensions Core Dimensions

Type KG KG L X W X T (MM) L X W X T (MM)
SKM 9LSTO 0.9 1.1 165 X 70 X 24 240 X 25 X 3

SKM 13LSTO 1.3 1.5 102 X 152 X 38 240 X 25 X 3

SKM 16LSTO 1.6 1.8 140 X 140 X 25 240 X 25 X 3

SKM 20LSTO 2.0 2.3 140 X 140 X 35 240 X 25 X 3

SKM 30LSTO 3.0 3.3 305 X 152 X 30 425 X 38 X 5

SKM 40LSTO 4.0 4.4 305 X 152 X 38 425 X 38 X 5

SKM 50LSTO 5.0 5.4 305 X 152 X 38 425 X 38 X 5

SKM 70LSTO 7.0 8.3 305 X 152 X 42 750 X 38 X 6

SKM 85LSTO 8.5 9.8 300 X 150 X 42 750 X 38 X 6

SKM 105LSTO 10.5 11.8 585 X 142 X 53 750 X 38 X 6

SKM 140LSTO 14.0 15.3 585 X 149 X 69 750 X 38 X 6

SKM 173LSTO 17.3 20.3 900 X 140 X 67 1100 X 50 X 6

SKM W SKM
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