Sacrificial Anode

[hozzmanrx7]

One weakness in our Wankle engines is deterioration of surface metal leading to dreaded water jacket failure.

A friend of mine introduced me to the concept of introducing a Sacrificial Anode to the cooling system to help extend engine life. So I fashioned a plug and play Zinc Anode that directly replaced the block drain plug and installed in the engines in concert with two separate project cars. If anyone is interested, I can make some more and sell them for $30 shipped. But becoming a quasi-Vendor isn't the point of this thread.

At issue, I won't know just how helpful they are until I replace one of those engines which hopefully won't be for a long time.

Noted that some of the most experienced Wankleheads wonder this forum with many even holding Engineering Degrees. So I thought I'd reach out and ask if anyone has gone full cycle using a Sacrificial Anode and can testify as to their benefit. Or, what others think about making installing one of these standard procedure for go forward engine rebuilds?

Cut and paste from one web site:

"When metal surfaces come into contact with electrolytes, they undergo an electrochemical reaction known as corrosion. Corrosion is the process of returning a metal to its natural state as an ore and in this process, causing the metal to disintegrate and its structure to grow weak. These metal surfaces are used all around us -- from pipelines to buildings to ships. It is important to ensure that these metals last as long as they can and thus necessitates what is known as cathode protection.

Sacrificial anodes are among several forms of cathode protection. Other forms of cathode protection are plating, galvanization, and the formation of alloys.

What materials are used for sacrificial anodes?

The materials used for sacrificial anodes are either relatively pure active metals, such as zinc or magnesium, or are magnesium or aluminum alloys that have been specifically developed for use as sacrificial anodes. In applications where the anodes are buried, a special backfill material surrounds the anode in order to insure that the anode will produce the desired output.

Since the sacrificial anode works by introducing another metal surface with a more negative electronegative and much more anodic surface. The current will flow from the newly introduced anode and the protected metal becomes cathodic creating a galvanic cell. The oxidation reactions are transferred from the metal surface to the galvanic anode and will be sacrificed in favor of the protected metal structure.