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- Englisch (6) (entfernen)
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- Atmospheric corrosion (2)
- Corrosion protection (2)
- Electrochemical tests (2)
- Grease (2)
- Prestressed systems (2)
- Wax (2)
- Corrosion (1)
- Dauerhaftigkeit (1)
- Duplex stainless steels (1)
- EPR test (1)
In addition to constructional requirements in civil engineering stainless steels often have to fulfil high visual demands. Unexpected impairments of the visual appearance of stainless steels under low corrosive conditions are a widespread problem today. Frequently it is supposed that this is caused by changes in the alloy composition, worse environmental conditions or improper handling. Within a research project the systematic investigation of several cases of damaged stainless steel bars has shown that the reasons are based on well-known material defects like chemical inhomogeneities (e.g. precipitations or local carburization) or geometrical defects (e.g. undercuts, rolling defects or shell formation). Thus, the failures could be clearly identified as production failures of the respective semi-finished products.
In order to clarify under which practical conditions real risks for hydrogen-induced stress corrosion cracking of prestressing steels exist laboratory investigations in aqueous solutions and concrete as well as tests with stressed prestressing steels were carried out. While different distances between steel and zinc (cathode and anode) showed only a negligible influence on the polarisation of the steel a significant dependence on the area ratio steel/zinc was observed. A critical area ratio of 10:1 can be defined above which polarisation of the steel to hydrogen evolution potentials is unlikely. The results obtained in the laboratory concerning the critical area ratio were confirmed by on-site investigations in a precasting plant. Exposure tests with hydrogen loading did not lead to fractures during the testing time for approved prestressing steels. The characteristic mechanical values determined immediately after the hydrogen loading tests did not show significant changes. Thus, an indirect contact between prestressing steels and galvanised elements can be estimated as uncritical. But a direct contact has to be excluded by compliance with DIN 1045-1, i.e minimal distance of 2 cm between prestressing steel and galvanised elements.
About the long-term protection behaviour of corrosion protection materials (filling materials) for prestressed systems under critical environmental conditions is only little known. The corrosion protection effect is usually based on theoretical considerations and is proven by short-term tests. The selection of the different products is mainly made according to economical or workability criteria. In a research project the barrier effect of different commercial corrosion protection materials (waxes as well as oil-based greases) against water, their tendency for undercutting as well as their additional corrosion protection effect were investigated. The exposure tests were carried out with non-stressed as well as stressed prestressing steel specimens which were subjected to critical conditions (condensed water, artificial soil solution, direct soil contact). Parallel to these long-term exposure tests the applicability of different electrochemical techniques and their significance with respect to testing the corrosion protection ability and water absorption was evaluated. Within the project a suitable method for simple testing the performance of corrosion protection materials under real conditions was developed. By means of a small compact cell submicroscopical reactions of the used sensors could be measured. The high sensitivity of this measuring technique enables the detection of degradation processes at thin protection layers.
Systematic laboratory and field exposure tests allow to compare nine different stainless steels (three ferritic, three austenitic, and three duplex grades) for civil engineering applications. The influence of surface finish was also taken into account by choosing five different industry-specific features. The three duplex stainless steels revealed excellent corrosion resistance under most of the test conditions. Especially for applications in civil engineering the lean duplex steels offer distinct advantages. The manganese-alloyed 1.4376 and the ferritic steel 1.4509 cannot be recommended as alternative materials as they did not perform satisfactorily.