Cathodic what?

For over two years, now, I've been working in sales for a company that specializes in materials and engineering for cathodic protection. For those two years, people have asked me what I do, and when I tell them, I can actually see their eyes glaze over. Maybe I can just direct them to this blog post, now!

So, what is cathodic protection? Essentially it's an electrochemical process of protecting metal structures from corroding--mostly stopping rust on pipes, tanks, boats, etc.. I joke around that I'm superwoman, as in I help protect our nation from exploding pipes.

99% of the external protection system is completed by a good coating. The remaining 1% that gives complete protection is trickier, involving dissimilar metals, applying current, and so forth.

For that 99% of the protection, a good coating is what's essential. Coatings are relatively simple, but much like data entry, despite being simple it requires a high attention to detail and requires perfection every single time. For the most part, coatings include tapes, heat shrink sleeves, and epoxies.

For that 1% of the protection, you look at distances, soil conditions, and application.

Upon completing the coatings and electrical steps, there is a whole world of testing, analysis, and upkeep.

It has taken me two years to get a good grasp on what's what--not just the process, but the materials a person uses to the best advantage to protect people from potential disaster. My inner teacher and inner writer come together here, at Kate's Corrosion Corner, in an effort to educate other people coming into this industry based off my own experiences.