Yes, they metal used is called an "sacrificial anode".
Magnesium and zinc are often used
As a sacrificial anode on boat hulls and oil drilling rigs etc to prevent corrosion
Sacrificial protection is only effective if the metal used for sacrificial protection is more reactive than Iron in the reactivity series. Since gold is one of the least reactive metals in the reactivity series, it would not get oxidized in the place of Iron. A more reactive metal than Iron, e.g. Zinc, is used as the Zinc metal would oxidize in the place of iron, thus preventing Iron from rusting.
Zinc anodes, when placed on parts of the hull and in certain areas, can 'absorb' or 'barricade' the hull from the rust and corrosion, leaving the underneath iron hull left clean until it wears away completely. Techniques such as 'the three fingers', where tiny needles are shot across surfaces to remove rust, are also used.
Here are four ways (adapted from the related link): Corrosion control Protective coatings: Most widely used corrosion control technique. Protective coatings protect metal from corrosion by separating the surfaces that are susceptible to corrosion from the factors in the environment which cause corrosion to occur. Cathodic protection: interferes with the natural action of the electrochemical cells that are responsible for corrosion. Cathodic protection can be effectively applied to control corrosion of surfaces that are immersed in water or exposed to soil. Corrosion inhibitor: Uses one or more of these mechanisms: Adsorption as a thin film on the surface of a corroding material; inducing formation of a thick corrosion product; forming a passive film on the metal surface; changing characteristics of the environment either by producing protective precipitates or by removing or inactivating an aggressive constituent.
Zinc is often used as a sacrificial metal on iron.
Some metals, such as aluminium, are actually pretty reactive, but it's hard to see because as soon as an aluminium object comes into contact with air it immediately forms a very thin transparent layer of aluminium oxide. This thin layer of "corrosion" protects the bulk of the metal from further oxidation.
Magnesium and zinc are often used
Tin could be used to coat another metal. It is done to prevent corrosion.
the reason that that they use thattype of metal is that its cheaper
As a sacrificial anode on boat hulls and oil drilling rigs etc to prevent corrosion
Cathodic protection is a way of preventing or controlling corrosion of a metal structure.
I've never heard that exact phrase used, but I'm guessing you're talking about a sacrificial anode. This is a piece of more active metal that's electrically connected to a piece of metal you want to protect; the sacrificial anode corrodes instead of the less active metal.
gold is commonly used for this purpose
Sacrificial protection is only effective if the metal used for sacrificial protection is more reactive than Iron in the reactivity series. Since gold is one of the least reactive metals in the reactivity series, it would not get oxidized in the place of Iron. A more reactive metal than Iron, e.g. Zinc, is used as the Zinc metal would oxidize in the place of iron, thus preventing Iron from rusting.
tungsten
Metal pan from corrosion by the drug