In systems where corrosion has already occurred, it will be necessary to clean the system thoroughly and then to ensure no further corrosion occurs. New systems and preventative maintenance of existing systems also necessitates system cleaning and application of a corrosion inhibitor.

WATERMATIC's range of solutions includes Korrosion-Guard physical corrosion inhibitors and the Corrosion Guard range of chemical system cleaners and inhibitors for central heating systems (available in 25 litre containers).

Korrosion-Guard

Korrosion-Guard provides a 'fit-and-forget' plumbed-in solution to the problems of corrosion in water systems, without the need to apply and regularly top up chemical corrosion inhibitors. As such it offers lower maintenance costs, less down time and reduced expenditure on consumables.

The electrolytic action of Korrosion-Guard uses a zinc anode and a copper cathode to generate a small electric potential as water flows through the system. This current causes zinc from the anode to be released into the water, where it combines with any oxygen in the water to form zinc oxide. As a result, there is no further oxidation of the metal surfaces in the system and the fine film of zinc oxide that forms on them provides further protection of these surfaces.

Once all the oxygen has been removed from the system, Korrosion-Guard goes into 'standby mode'. If there is any further ingress of oxygen into the system, however, this automatically reactivate the zinc anode so the oxygen in quickly removed.

Korrosion-Guard also acts to prevent electrolytic corrosion occurring between dissimilar metals in the heating system such as copper, brass, aluminium alloy and steel. Zinc is lower in the electro-chemical series than any of these other metals, so any electrolytic corrosion currents are concentrated on the zinc anode, rather than the metal elements of the heating system. In engineering terms, this is known as 'cathodic protection'.

Corrosion Guard

The Corrosion Guard range of chemical treatments, from Watermatic's parent company Salamander Engineering, includes system cleaner and corrosion inhibitor.

System cleaners

System cleaners typically contain dispersant, sequestrates and flocculent and are designed to remove organic and inorganic matter, mobilise sludge and dissolve limescale. They also contain an inhibitor to protect bare metal.

To be fully effective, system cleaners need heat and time, enabling them to strip contaminants from the surface one layer at a time. They can also be used with a mechanical powered flush to accelerate the process.

Corrosion inhibitors

Once the system has been cleaned and flushed out it needs to be refilled with water and corrosion inhibitor for ongoing protection. Corrosion inhibitors typically contain multi-metal passivating inhibitors, scale inhibitors and pH buffers, as well as biocide protection for plastics, washers and polybutylene fittings.

Multi-metal inhibitors are essential because copper is vulnerable to galvanic corrosion, while aluminium reacts with both acids and alkalis (amphoteric). They must also be fully effective in hard and soft water, under aerated and de-aerated conditions.

The Corrosion Guard range offers all of this functionality, using advanced formulations to ensure fast acting and effective solutions for any application. Corrosion Guard System Cleaner and Corrosion Inhibitor are available in 25 litre containers, providing sensibly priced, cost-effective treatment for ongoing system integrity.