ANODO HELICE MAX-POWER Ø32 (AL)

Function and technical context

The propeller anode for MAX-POWER propellers with a diameter of 32 mm acts as a galvanic sacrificial element, protecting the metal parts of the propeller and shaft from electrolytic corrosion produced by the potential difference between dissimilar metals submerged in water. Made of aluminum (AL), this anode is specifically designed for boats that navigate in salty or brackish waters, where the aggressiveness of the marine environment accelerates oxidation and corrosion processes. Being a more active metal than bronze or stainless steel, the anode preferentially corrodes, preserving the integrity of the propeller hub, drive shaft and metal components of the propeller. Its correct installation in the MAX-POWER side thruster guarantees that electrolysis does not damage structural elements whose repair or replacement would be considerably more expensive.

When to replace this part?

The clearest symptom that the propeller anode is exhausted is the appearance of pitting, corrosion or visible loss of material on the propeller hub or shaft surface, a sign that the anode has stopped protecting effectively. It is recommended to inspect the anode at the beginning and end of each nautical season, and replace it when it has lost approximately half of its mass, without waiting for it to disappear completely. Replacing the anode preventively at the beginning of each season is the practice most recommended by naval mechanics to avoid irreversible damage to the propeller and shaft, whose repair in the dock multiplies the cost of the intervention.