In this work, the effect of zinc addition on the performance of aluminum-based sacrificial anode in seawater was investigated. The parameters used in assessing the performance of the cast anodes are anodic efficiency, protection efficiency and polarized potential. The content of zinc in the anodes was varied after die casting. The alloys produced were tested as sacrificial anode for the protection of mild steel for marine application at room temperature. Factors such as reactivity of zinc particles in the seawater, corrosion activity during the period of experiment, pH of seawater and the electronegativity potential of zinc were collected for analysis. Overall findings shows addition of zinc increases rate of corrosion to the sacrificial anode and the protection offered by the sacrificial anodes measured and collected in PIT shows the seawater react to sacrificial anode and no porosity reaction between the anodes. The microstructure showed the intermetallic structures of β-phase which breakdown the alumina passive film, thus enhancing the anode efficiency.
