Computational Design and Development of Low-Voltage Sacrificial Anode

Cathodic protection methods, employing a sacrificial anode, are used to prevent corrosion of iron-based structural components in marine environments. However, as a consequence of galvanic coupling, hydrogen charging of high-strength steels occurs leading to hydrogen embrittlement and stress-corrosion cracking (SCC). Under this proposed SBIR program, QuesTek Innovations LLC, a leader in the field of computational materials design, will develop a new alloy with a corrosion potential tuned to about -0.8V, with maximum current carrying capacity, that can eliminate or reduce the risk of hydrogen embrittlement of high strength materials, while providing efficient cathodic protection against corrosion. Based on QuesTek’s electrochemical framework alloying additions will be incorporated to achieve the desired corrosion potential along with a non-passive soluble oxide film. QuesTek’s mechanistic and computational Materials by Design® methodology is a viable strategy to rapidly develop an effective material solution with the ideal electrochemical and active corrosion properties. In the program QuesTek will partner with OEMs who will help define the material and process requirement matrix, and ultimately lead the alloy implementation. Concept feasibility will be demonstrated by cyclic polarization tests on model alloys fabricated in the Phase I program. Production-scale fabrication of the designed alloy will be demonstrated in Phase II.