Platinized anodes are made of two parts: base metal and coating. Titanium is used as the base metal and a very thin layer of platinum is applied to it. Titanium acts as the anode body and conductor and platinum coating as the anode active element. Base metal can be used in many different forms, including rods, tubes, meshes, etc. Conventional platinum coating thickness is about 2.5 microns, but if used in more corrosive environments, this thickness should be increased to about 5 microns.
Platinum coating thickness and anode output current density determine the useful life of the anode. The maximum voltage between anode and the environment in environments containing chlorine ions shall not exceed 8 volts because at higher voltages there is a possibility of local corrosion of the bare parts. Platinized anodes should not be used in environments containing fluoride ions because titanium oxide dissolves in such environments and anodic passivation cannot protect the base metal.