Prof.

Bilal Hamad
Corrosion Protection Methods
1. Proper design and construction practices
Proper detailing practices, provision of adequate drainage, adequate cover, low
permeability, good compaction, and proper curing. If an admixture is used it should be
added according to the manufacturers recommendation and it should be free of
chlorides.
2. Corrosion inhibiting admixtures
An example is calcium nitrite. When it is added to the fresh concrete it stabilies the
passivating layer chemically preventing the chloride ions from attaching the steel.
!ide effects are low strength and erratic times of setting.
3. Insulating the concrete surface
a. Increased concrete cover" #he purpose is that it ta$es longer for the chlorides to
seep through a greater distance.
%owever"
& If the chlorides are already present in the concrete then increased depth will
not help.
& In crac$ed concrete the susceptibility of steel reinforcement to corrosion is
more a function of crac$ width then depth
& Increasing slab thic$ness is costly.
b. 'embranes and overlays" #hey provide an impervious layer which the chlorides
cannot pass. As an example is placing a water&proof membrane covered by an
asphalt layer. #he problem is that any crac$s or bubbles in the membrane will
allow the chlorides to seep through. Another example is providing a Portland
cement concrete overlay or low&slump concrete overlay (W)* + ,.-./ using high
cement content and water content sufficient to produce slump less than 0 in. #he
concrete is air&entrained and a plasticier is used.
c. !ealers" *oatings such as linseed oil or bituminous coating to prevent absorption of
salts to concrete. A primer coat is used such as coal for or asphalt base will
impregnate the pores and hairline crac$s. *oating however maintains high
moisture content within the concrete reducing the electric resistivity.
d. Polymer concrete overlays" %ighly impermeable to chloride and water. Polymer
concrete contains aggregates and binder. 1poxies, polyesters, acrylics, and
polyurethanes are some binders. #he polymer is added at the construction site and
is weather dependent.
4. Cathodic protection
It stops the corrosion by reversing the electrochemical process that causes corrosion. It
requires installation of an electrode in the concrete near the reinforcement to be
connected to a positive terminal of a direct current power source. #he flow of current
to the rebars will overcome any corrosion current that was previously flowing. #he
problem is to have electric continuity through the bars. It is very expensive.
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Prof. Bilal Hamad
5. Stainless steel bars
#hey are corrosion resistant but their cost is very high.
. !pox"#coated bars
2usion bonded epoxy coating offers best combination of protection, ease of use, and
economy. It is not weather dependent since it is not applied on the site. *rac$ing in
concrete is not a problem. *oating achieves adhesion as a result of a heat catalyed
chemical reaction. #he reaction is irreversible. #he process includes"
& surface preparation
& material application
& curing
& inspection
.