Aluminum Vs Magnesium Anode Rod

An anode rod is made up of magnesium or aluminum.

Aluminum vs magnesium anode rod.

Anode rod magnesium or aluminum. One issue with aluminium rods is that the corrosive material that is formed on the anode tends to harden and sink to the bottom of the water tank. Unlike aluminum anode rods dissolved magnesium offers health benefits. Aluminum and magnesium rods.

But first let s compare the two most common types of anode rods you ll find in water heaters today. Both magnesium and aluminum are less noble metals meaning they corrode quickly in water. So you suspect your water heater s current anode rod needs replacing so you re figuring out which type you ought to purchase as a replacement. Water heater anode rods.

The aluminum rods are the slowest performing anode rods built from aluminum. Aluminum anodes tend to be cheaper than magnesium anode rods. This can potentially find its way into your taps and cause issues down the. A magnesium rod will generally last less than an aluminum rod.

An aluminum water heater anode rod is placed into a water heater to prevent corrosion. In the same way that ships use sacrificial rods to protect the metal of the hull an anode rod attracts the corrosion and keep the rust and corroding elements away from the water tank itself. Magnesium rods are more expensive. The chemical reaction for rusting begins by oxidation which is when iron loses two of its electrons to the oxygen found in the tank.

In addition to high tds total disolved solids low ph acidic water and high ph alkaline water or oxygen and dissolved co2 or high levels of salts or sulfates or corrosion related bacteria and electrochemical corrosion will eat away more aggressivley on the anode rod. Let s put on our chemistry hats and explore this a bit further. Since the working mechanism is slow this is the reason why it produces low voltage during electrolysis. Reaction with water elements can sometimes lead to production of hydrogen sulfide which comes out as a rotten egg smell in the water.