Corrosion Basics: The 4 Parts of a Corrosion Cell

A corrosion cell is the basic “engine” that makes corrosion possible. If any one of the four required parts is missing, the corrosion reaction cannot sustain itself.

The 4 required parts

• Anode: where oxidation occurs (metal dissolves).
• Cathode: where reduction occurs (electrons are consumed).
• Electrolyte: ionic path (soil/water) that carries ions.
• Metallic path: electronic path that carries electrons.