Repair Systems
Cathodic protection
Embedded sacrificial zinc and impressed current anodes — technical reference for reinforcement corrosion in Australian remedial building practice. Covers system selection, product comparisons, and brand equivalents.
What is cathodic protection?
Cathodic protection (CP) systems are electrochemical solutions to reinforcement corrosion that address the problem at its fundamental cause — by impressing a small protective electrical current onto the reinforcing steel, oxidation (corrosion) is arrested rather than managed. Used on bridges, carparks, marine structures, and heritage buildings where large-scale concrete breakout would be uneconomical or architecturally unacceptable, CP systems extend structure life significantly without requiring major demolition. Systems include embedded anodes (zinc sacrificial, titanium mesh-activated, or discrete impressed-current types) connected to a control and monitoring unit on the building. Required design and installation is by a specialist corrosion engineer accredited in CP systems; ongoing monitoring data is used to verify system performance and adjust output over the service life. An engineered, long-term solution used by building managers and body corporates as an alternative to full concrete replacement.
Product Reference
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System Description
Sacrificial zinc or impressed-current titanium. Design by corrosion engineer per AS 2832. Ongoing monitoring required.
Technical Properties
- Addresses the electrochemical root cause of corrosion — extends structure life without full breakout
- Performance is measurable — system can be monitored and adjusted over service life
Limitations
- High capital cost — requires specialist design and installation by accredited applicator
- Ongoing operational and monitoring costs over the system's full service life
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Fosroc/Vector Galvashield CC
discrete galvanic zinc anode for concrete repair, each
System Description
Sacrificial zinc or impressed-current titanium. Design by corrosion engineer per AS 2832. Ongoing monitoring required.
Technical Properties
- Addresses the electrochemical root cause of corrosion — extends structure life without full breakout
- Performance is measurable — system can be monitored and adjusted over service life
Limitations
- High capital cost — requires specialist design and installation by accredited applicator
- Ongoing operational and monitoring costs over the system's full service life
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
System Description
Sacrificial zinc or impressed-current titanium. Design by corrosion engineer per AS 2832. Ongoing monitoring required.
Technical Properties
- Addresses the electrochemical root cause of corrosion — extends structure life without full breakout
- Performance is measurable — system can be monitored and adjusted over service life
Limitations
- High capital cost — requires specialist design and installation by accredited applicator
- Ongoing operational and monitoring costs over the system's full service life
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Brand Equivalents
Side-by-side view of equivalent products across all major brands.
| Material | Ardex | Sika | Fosroc | Tremco / Other | Parchem / Mapei |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cathodic protection anodes (zinc/titanium) | Ardex BRX 60 LO | — | Fosroc/Vector Galvashield CC | — | CPT (Cathodic Protection Technologies) |
Disclaimer
Information is general only. Product selection must be confirmed against project requirements, substrate condition, exposure class, manufacturer technical data sheets, NCC requirements, Australian Standards (including AS 3600), and consultant or structural engineer specifications. Do not rely on this reference as a substitute for professional engineering advice.
Concrete & Structural Defects
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Concrete & Structural Defects
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Reinforcement corrosion
Browse all product categories for reinforcement corrosion.
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