Do the plates protect the ship from other ships electrical feedback?
2006-08-22 00:28:46 · 5 answers · asked by lump 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
The hull of the ship is surrounded by an electrolyte (salt water) and since it's steel it will corrode through electrolytic corrosion. Placing zinc plates creates a voltage (exactly like a battery) between the hull and the plates. Now a very small current will flow in the opposite direction it would without the electrodes, putting back eroded steel on the hull.
So it's nothing more than a corrosion protection system.
2006-08-22 00:52:45 · answer #1 · answered by UtaH 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Zinc Plates
2016-11-12 09:02:02 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I belive that the zinc is to protect the ship's iron parts from rusting. The zinc will rust quicker than the iron and protect it in the process rust is preferential. As long as one continues to replace the zinc plates the iron hull will last much longer.
2006-08-22 02:26:27 · answer #3 · answered by carljosephchandler 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Electrolysis My friend.
The zinc attracts any electrolysis and is attacked before the hull of the boat.
It also helps to keep barnacles off the bottom of the boat, but, they will always find a way, and need to be removed regularly.
2006-08-22 00:47:29 · answer #4 · answered by pa69oldfart 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The zinc is a sacrificial anode in the corrosion circuit, it keeps the boat from rusting in the water. It gives up electrons easier then the steel, and in doing so prevents rust. You can take corrosion courses that teach the theory behind this effect.
2006-08-22 02:35:54 · answer #5 · answered by Jeffrey S 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋