Aluminum Vs Magnesium Anode Rod

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.

Aluminum vs magnesium anode rod.

The aluminum rods are the slowest performing anode rods built from aluminum. The chemical reaction for rusting begins by oxidation which is when iron loses two of its electrons to the oxygen found in the tank. Reaction with water elements can sometimes lead to production of hydrogen sulfide which comes out as a rotten egg smell in the water. This can potentially find its way into your taps and cause issues down the.

Aluminum anodes tend to be cheaper than magnesium anode rods. Aluminum vs magnesium our review. Water heater anode rods. To be fair this type of rod is much less expensive when you compare it with the magnesium or any other type of rods.

Let s put on our chemistry hats and explore this a bit further. An aluminum water heater anode rod is placed into a water heater to prevent corrosion. 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. But first let s compare the two most common types of anode rods you ll find in water heaters today.

A magnesium rod will generally last less than an aluminum rod. Aluminum and magnesium rods. Anode rod magnesium or aluminum. Since the working mechanism is slow this is the reason why it produces low voltage during electrolysis.

Aluminum anode rods are cheaper than magnesium anode rods. Both magnesium and aluminum are less noble metals meaning they corrode quickly in water. Unlike aluminum anode rods dissolved magnesium offers health benefits. 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.