Compared to magnesium anodes, zinc anodes tend to have a:

Zinc anodes are known to have a less negative open circuit potential compared to magnesium anodes, which directly relates to their electrochemical behavior in cathodic protection applications. The open circuit potential indicates the voltage at which the anode is in equilibrium with its environment, and a less negative potential means that the zinc anodes operate at a higher potential than the magnesium ones.

This characteristic is significant because it implies that zinc anodes may offer a more protective environment for the metal structures they are meant to protect, especially in certain applications like freshwater environments, where magnesium may be too active and could potentially lead to rapid depletion of the anodes.

The fact that zinc has a less negative potential can allow for more controlled current flow, providing effective cathodic protection to structures like pipelines or marine vessels. This potential differential between zinc and magnesium reflects their positioning in the galvanic series, where magnesium is more anodic. Therefore, while either material offers substantial protection, the choice of which to use will depend on specific environmental conditions and material needs.