Optimization of the cathodic protection system of military ships with respect to the double constraint: cathodic protection and electromagnetic silencing

In ships, materials of different electrochemical potentials the steel of the hull and the bronze of the propellers coexist. Once bathed in the sea water and electrically connected by the internal structures, phenomena of corrosion induced by galvanic coupling appear. These phenomena create currents in the water around the ship and induce, in the conducting sea water, a static electric field called "Underwater Electric Potential Field (UEP)" and a static magnetic field associated called “Corrosion Related Magnetic Field (CRM)”, harmful to the electromagnetic silencing of the ship. In order to protect the hull and the other sensitive anodic parts of the ship against corrosion, cathodic protection systems are installed on the hull. This paper describes a response surface methodology to optimize the design of cathodic protection systems of military ships with respect to the double constraint: cathodic protection and electromagnetic silencing.