ANODE RADICE SHAFT 45

Function and technical context

The 45mm shaft anode is a cathodic protection element designed to be mounted directly on the tail shaft of the vessel, acting as a sacrificial metal against galvanic corrosion. It works within the submerged propulsion system, where the presence of salt or brackish water and the combination of different metals—stainless steel shaft, bronze propeller, aluminum hulls—generate galvanic currents capable of degrading the structural components in a few seasons. Being a more electronegative metal than the components it protects, the anode corrodes in place, preserving the shaft and propeller from premature degradation that could compromise the integrity of the transmission and lead to vibrations, looseness or even the loss of the propeller in navigation. The reference TEN00404 corresponds to the Radice range, an Italian manufacturer specialized in high-quality propulsion systems.

When to replace this part?

Shaft anodes should be inspected at the beginning of each nautical season and replaced when they have lost approximately 50% of their mass, without waiting for them to disappear completely, since a depleted anode leaves the shaft completely unprotected against electrolytic attack. Symptoms of insufficient protection include visible pitting on the tail shaft, corrosion on the surface of the propeller, or abnormal discoloration of the metal in the submerged area. Replacing the anode preventively at the beginning of each campaign is the most economical measure to avoid replacing the shaft or propeller, repairs of much higher cost that, in addition, are usually discovered at the worst moment.

Compatibility