Concrete Corrosion Inhibitors Association (CCIA)

Corrosion Inhibitors Are The Lowest-Cost Solution To The Corrosion Problem In Concrete.

Corrosion Inhibitors Are Proven Technology for Roads, Bridges, Parking Garages, Wastewater Treatment Plants, Port Facilities and Many Other Structures.

Beneficial Corrosion vs. Continuing Corrosion

Let's make a fine distinction between beneficial corrosion and continuing corrosion. It is fairly common to see slightly rusted rebars being used even in high-quality construction. The alkaline environment of concrete will protect the iron as long as the chloride ion level stays below the threshold value (about 1 pound per cubic yard). Anything above that level requires a corrosion inhibitor to bring the iron into a state of passivity. The alkali content of the concrete is not sufficient when a salt containing chloride penetrates the concrete.

Anodizing of aluminum is corrosion, and so is the lovely green patina on copper, but in both of these cases, the corrosion does not continue indefinitely. Corrosion coatings are formed that protect the underlying metal. Iron, on the other hand, continues to corrode in concrete when salt is present. A corrosion inhibitor stops the corrosion process, so the resulting corrosion is beneficial as in the case of aluminum and copper.

A Few Current Projects:

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania:

Nitterhouse Concrete Products, Inc., supplied precast concrete double-tee deck panels containing a corrosion inhibitor for AMP, Inc., world headquarters parking structure. Deicing salts deposit every winter in this northern climate and corrosion continues during the warm months. Other admixtures used included an air entrainer and superplasticizer. Because the admixture supplier was consulted early, and an appropriate mix design was suggested, the project proceeded smoothly.

Kent, England:

Readymix Eastern supplied concrete batched with a corrosion inhibitor for supporting beams in the Dartford Tunnels. This avoided the use of spray-on sealers with possible solvent exposure to workers in the confined environment and to marine life nearby. The need for a corrosion inhibitor here was to counter the deposition of deicing salts brought in on the wheels of vehicles during winter travel.

Cork, Ireland

A corrosion inhibitor was used in precast and in-situ concrete elements on the Dunkettle Bridges. The main contractor was John Fleming Construction Ltd. Readymix was supplied by John A. Wood Ltd., and precast material by Lowery & McKinney and by Bannagher Concrete. Environmental protection was one of the major benefits achieved by the use of corrosion inhibitor because it removed the need to seal and reseal the concrete by spraying material dissolved in solvents.

CCIA Assistance Available

The members of the Concrete Corrosion Inhibitors Association (CCIA) are Axim Concrete Technologies, Grace Construction Products and Master Builders. These major admixture suppliers produce corrosion inhibitors that have been tested and sold for use in severe conditions for many years. For further information see our web site at www.corrosioninhibitors.org, FAX us at 425/963-0084, or call us at 301/340-7368.