Cathodic Protection is an alternative to repainting to protect a structure from ___

• A. Erosion
• B. Corrosion
• C. Weathering
• D. Scaling

Answer: (B)

Cathodic protection prevents metal corrosion by making the protected metal the cathode in an electrochemical cell, typically using sacrificial anodes or an impressed current. This method is an alternative to repainting because it addresses the electrochemical process causing metal loss rather than just applying a barrier coating; coatings can crack or wear, but cathodic protection keeps the surface protected even at small defects. It’s widely used for structures in contact with water or soil, like pipelines, ship hulls, and offshore platforms, where corrosion is the primary concern. Erosion is physical wear from fluid flow, weathering is the combined chemical and physical breakdown from environmental exposure, and scaling is mineral buildup—none of which are addressed by cathodic protection.