Galvanic Series

The Galvanic Series is a ranked list of metals and alloys based on their measured corrosion potentials in a specific environment, typically seawater. Unlike the theoretical Electromotive Force (EMF) Series (which uses standard electrode potentials), the Galvanic Series reflects practical behavior.

Metals at the top are noble (cathodic) and are corrosion-resistant, while those at the bottom are active (anodic) and will preferentially corrode. This series is crucial in engineering design; connecting metals far apart in the series, such as steel (active) and copper (noble), results in severe galvanic corrosion of the more active material.