Concrete is the most popular construction material and the second most used substance in the world after water. It is estimated that more than 10 billion tons of concrete are produced yearly. However, despite its popularity, concrete structures have a few major issues and one of them is its susceptibility to corrosion due to the mesh and/or steel bars.
Corrosion is the gradual process of material degradation caused by exposure to substances like oxygen, hydrogen, bacteria, or sometimes extreme pressure. It causes extreme damage to any material that it affects. Concrete is one. Fortunately, concrete corrosion can be prevented by using corrosion-inhibiting admixtures produced by admixture manufacturers in India.
In this blog, we will explore how admixtures can help prevent corrosion in concrete structures.
Concrete Corrosion and its Impact on Infrastructure
Before we delve into the role of admixtures in preventing corrosion, it’s essential to understand how corrosion occurs in concrete structures. Concrete usually contains steel reinforcement to make the structure stronger.
However, it is this steel reinforcement that causes concrete corrosion when exposed to air and moisture.
When moisture and air react with steel, a chemical reaction occurs, leading to the formation of rust. The rust inside the concrete takes up more space than steel and causes internal pressure and cracking of the concrete. This eventually leads to structural damage, and failure, and can become a significant safety concern.
Role of admixtures in preventing corrosion
To prevent the degradation of concrete through corrosion, admixture manufacturers in India and across the world manufacture a type of admixture known as corrosion inhibitors. The corrosion inhibitors form a protective film on the concrete surface and help prevent substances such as chlorides, sulfates, and C02 from entering or penetrating the concrete. They reduce the amount of moisture and oxygen that is deposited on the steel, thereby slowing down the rusting process. This helps to prevent the corrosion of the steel reinforcement within the concrete and thus ensures the structural integrity of the concrete.
There are different types of corrosion inhibitors that are added to the concrete mix. They are organic inhibitors, inorganic inhibitors, and mixed inhibitors. Organic inhibitors are typically organic compounds that are absorbed on the steel surface, forming a protective layer. Inorganic inhibitors are typically inorganic salts that form a passive film on the steel surface. Mixed inhibitors are a combination of organic and inorganic inhibitors.
These admixtures can significantly improve the durability and water resistance of concrete reducing the need for costly repairs and maintenance. They are also easy to use, cost-effective, and help reduce the environmental and time-consuming impact of repairs and replacements.
Final words
The use of admixtures in preventing corrosion in concrete structures is an effective and cost-efficient solution to enhance the durability and longevity of structures. And with increasing demand for sustainable construction practices, admixtures will continue to play an increasingly essential role in the industry. Leading admixture manufacturer in India, ECMAS, is paving the way with a range of innovative and reliable concrete admixtures including dual corrosion inhibitors such as ECMAPLAST 2020.
