Question
Presence of chloride ions (Cl–) enhances rusting. How rusting can be protected by magnesium?
Answer
Rusting can be protected by magnesium through a process called cathodic protection. Magnesium metal, which is more reactive than iron, is connected to the iron structure and acts as a sacrificial anode. The magnesium metal corrodes instead of the iron, providing cathodic protection to the iron.
