The research of the processes and properties of anodes for the cathodic protection of the thermally expanded graphite

Abstract

Modern human activity requires the need for a reliable and high-quality infrastructure and equipment, which in use is a subject to environmental influences. Corrosion of metal products remains one of the most acute problems of our day. An effective way to protect metal products from corrosion is a cathodic protection. The paper presents the results of electrochemical studies to assess the possibility of using anodes of thermally expanded graphite for cathodic protection of metals. Thermally expanded graphite is produced from natural graphite by its interaction with strong oxidizing agents followed by heating. The result is a material that in its properties is a new modification of carbon. In this study, thermally expanded graphite was obtained from a fluorine-intercalated compound. The studied material is easy to mold in various types of pressure treatment, i.e. it is pressed and rolled at low pressures forming a porous framework, which is important when receiving electrodes. Polyethylene was introduced into the thermally expanded graphite powder to increase the electrode resistance. The process of co-pressing of the thermally expanded graphite with different contents of the polyethylene powder was previously investigated to select the composition of the composite material for conducting electrochemical tests. Investigations were carried out in a sodium chloride solution, as well as in a more aggressive environment – a potassium bromide solution. Conducted studies have shown the possibility of using the thermally expanded graphite-polyethylene composite material for the production of cathodic protection anodes.