ANODE RADICE SHAFT 50

Function and technical context

The shaft anode is a cathodic protection element designed to be installed directly on the tail shaft of the vessel, acting as a sacrificial mass to preserve submerged metal components from galvanic corrosion. It works on the external propulsion system, protecting the propeller, the shaft and the other metal elements of the transmission assembly against the electrochemical attack caused by salt or brackish water. Without adequate anodic protection on the shaft, the noble metals of the transmission - stainless steel, bronze, brass - suffer accelerated deterioration that can compromise the structural integrity of the shaft and cause propulsion failures in navigation. The Radice shaft anode reference TEN00405 is specifically sized for 50 mm diameter shafts, guaranteeing a secure fit and a sacrificial surface correctly proportioned to the metal mass to be protected.

When to replace this part?

Shaft anodes should be inspected at least once a season, preferably during winter grounding or at each hull. The unmistakable sign that the anode has reached the end of its useful life is when it has lost between 50% and 60% of its mass: from that point on, the cathodic protection capacity decreases drastically and the stainless steel components of the shaft are exposed to corrosion. Replacing the anode preventively each season is a practice recommended by professional shipyards, since the cost of an anode is minimal compared to the repair or replacement of a shaft damaged by galvanic corrosion.