EVALUATION OF CORROSION INHIBITOR

Solution to the problem of deterioration of bridge decks due to the corrosion of embedded steel has been sought by engineers for a long time. The purpose of the study was to evaluate, under laboratory conditions, the properties of concrete using a commercially available corrosion inhibitor (Darex) as an additive to the concrete. There was a limited scope to the study and evaluations were by means of a half-cell potential measurement system and visual observations. Generally the following conclusions were made: (1) Darex corrosion inhibitor does protect some against corrosion of steel embedded in concrete, but the extent has not been defined yet, (2) strength is higher for corrosion inhibitor treated concrete than for reference concrete (not treated), (3) Darex corrosion inhibitor does improve the general mix properties of air entrained concrete, (4) concrete using a corrosion inhibitor as an additive will cost approximately 22% more than conventional concrete, but will not be as expensive as other types of treatments, and (5) it is not known at this time whether the protection advantages will offset the cost increases of the material. The laboratory testing performed in this study is not fully corroborative of corrosion inhibiting qualities of calcium nitrite. More research is needed in this area of corrosion protection and also in correlating the laboratory results to actual field conditions. (FHWA)

• Corporate Authors:

  Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development

  1201 Capitol Access Road, P.O. Box 94245
  Baton Rouge, LA  United States  70804-9245
• Authors:
  • Law, S M
  • Rasoulian, M
• Publication Date: 1980-5

Media Info

• Pagination: 45 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Additives; Air entrained concrete; Bridge decks; Calcium compounds; Concrete; Corrosion protection; Inhibitors (Chemistry); Mix design; Nitrites; Reinforcing steel; Strength of materials
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Materials; I32: Concrete; I35: Miscellaneous Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00330072
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Federal Highway Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/LA-80/141 Final Rpt.
• Contract Numbers: 79-1C (B)
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Apr 15 1981 12:00AM