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- Corrosion (7)
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- Korrosion (3)
- Chromate (2)
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- Hydrogen evolution (2)
Organisationseinheit der BAM
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.
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.
Chloride-induced damage of reinforcing steel is especially for parking garages and bridges often very severe as large amounts of chlorides act on horizontal surfaces which could lead to fast ingress of these detrimental ions up to the level of the reinforcement and subsequently to high rates of corrosion.
In order to avoid the disadvantages of conventional rehabilitation (unreliable prognosis with patch repair or high costs and regular maintenance with cathodic protection using impressed current) a new combined protection system was developed where the principle of drying out the concrete (by means of a surface protection system) is combined with a temporary cathodic protection (by means of a sprayed zinc layer) during the transitional period of the drying out process.
This new system was tested both in the laboratory and on-site at a pilot application. Based on the results obtained the possibilities and limitations of the new system are discussed in this paper.
The reduction of the chromate contents in cements affects the electrochemical reactions of galvanized reinforcing steels in fresh concrete. By means of electrochemical measurements and bar pull-out tests the effect of chromates on the formation of protective coatings at the zinc and the bond behaviour have been investigated using chromate-containing and chromate-reduced cements. The results have shown that the bond zone was affected as a result of chromate reduction for cement types CEM I and CEM II. The disturbance to the bond zone should be considered as long-term in relation to the pore structure which is formed. The effects on the bond are largely compensated for as the concrete ages. The results of the related bond strength with displacement paths of 0.1 and 0.5?mm, respectively, are still within the range of expected figures for non-galvanized reinforcing steel despite the structural disturbance. Under practical aspects it is not necessary that the existing structural disturbance with respect to bond strength is taken into consideration.
Steel in concrete is protected by the alkaline pore water environment and the resulting formation of a protective passive layer against corrosion. Adverse environmental conditions due to carbonation or chloride ingress can destroy the passive layer on the steel surface. Corrosion processes starting in those areas lead to uniform corrosion or local corrosion like pitting corrosion. In comparison to uniform corrosion pitting corrosion is a form of increased local corrosion and thus leads to a progressive reduction in cross-section of the reinforcing steel. The corrosion products are first absorbed by the pores of the concrete matrix, without causing visible external changes at the concrete surface.
Risk of stress corrosion cracking of prestressing steels in contact with galvanized components
(2010)
In indoor swimming pools stainless steels are used not only due to structural and economic reasons but also due to aesthetic considerations. And therefore not only safety relevant load bearing components have to fulfil their tasks but also the visual appearance should be free of any staining. In a lot of cases basic requirements (e.g. design criteria, material selection and maintenance) being essential parts of technical regulations were not taken into account. Typical case studies with explanation of the cause of the corrosion problems and possibilities to prevent them are shown in the present paper.