A zinc/hydrogel system for cathodic protection of reinforced concrete structures
- J.E. Bennett Consultants, Inc., Chardon, OH (United States)
- Corrpro Companies, Inc., Medina, OH (United States)
A zinc/hydrogel system has been developed for the cathodic protection of steel in reinforced concrete. This system consists of a thin foil of zinc which is attached to the concrete surface by an ionically conductive hydrogel adhesive. A direct electrical connection between the zinc and the reinforcing steel allows the zinc to function galvanically, polarizing the steel and protecting it from corrosion. Zinc, aluminum, and several aluminum alloys were tested as anodes in contact with hydrogel adhesives, and zinc was found to offer the best combination of working potential, resistance to passivation, cost and availability. Several hydrogels used for medical applications were found to be inadequate for this use, but a hydrogel adhesive was developed specifically to bond sacrificial anodes to concrete. This hydrogel achieved a total charge in accelerated testing equal to 12 years of life at current densities normally used for cathodic protection. Zinc/hydrogel was installed on about 1000 ft{sup 2} (100 m{sup 2}) of a fishing pier in Ft. Pierce, Florida on members including prestressed pilings, conventionally reinforced pile caps, and prestressed beams. Installation of this system was relatively easy, and initial performance is encouraging. After 5 months of service, adhesion is good and current densities remain high.
- OSTI ID:
- 382563
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-960389-; TRN: IM9645%%114
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE) annual corrosion conference and exposition: water and waste water industries, Denver, CO (United States), 24-29 Mar 1996; Other Information: PBD: 1996; Related Information: Is Part Of Corrosion/96 conference papers; PB: [6615] p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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