Gasket isolation (or insulation) kits are commonly used in industry to prevent galvanic corrosion between dissimilar metals or as part of the cathodic protection system in buried pipelines. However, they are also beginning to find increased use in the transportation portion of Carbon Capture & Sequestration (CCS) systems.
Galvanic corrosion occurs when two disÂsimilar metals are coupled in an elecÂtrolyte (electrically conducting medium containing ions) such as saltwater or soil. Because the metals are different, they will have different electrical potenÂtials: one will be less reactive and act as the cathode while the other will be more reactive and act as the anode. The anÂode then preferentially corrodes into the electrolyte. While there are several difÂferent ways to avoid this scenario, such as material selection or removal of the electrolyte, the use of an isolation kit is likely the easiest and most cost-effective way to eliminate the risk of corrosion.