Improving the performance of fusion-bonded epoxy coated steel reinforcing bars

Conference · Fri Nov 01 04:00:00 UTC 1996

OSTI ID:382565

Lampton, Jr, R D ^[1]; Schemberger, D ^[2]

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1. RDL Consulting, Friendswood, TX (United States)
2. Akzo Nobel Powder Coatings GmbH, Reutlingen (Germany)

Fusion-bonded epoxy coated steel reinforcing bar (ECR) is an established solution for enhancing the durability of reinforced concrete structures in highly corrosive environments. However, coating disbondment problems found in the Florida Keys bridges and by the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO), after less than 10 years of field service, have lead to considerable debate over the long-term effectiveness of the technology. The importance of coating defects to the performance of ECR is well established. If there are no defects, coating adhesion is not relevant and the corrosion protection barrier is effective. Unfortunately, in the real world, there will be defects in placed ECR. The coating`s resistance to disbondment from these defects is where the performance of ECR can be improved. This paper addresses several ways to improve the long-term adhesion of epoxy coating to steel reinforcing bars. These include: alternative application methods, chemical pretreatment of the blasted steel surface prior to coating application, and the essential need of a strong quality assurance program for coating application plants.

• OSTI ID: 382565
• Report Number(s): CONF-960389--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ADHESION
CHROMATES
CLEANING
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
CORROSION PROTECTION
DEFECTS
EPOXIDES
FABRICATION
IRON PHOSPHATES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PASSIVATION
PHOSPHORIC ACID
QUALITY ASSURANCE
REINFORCED CONCRETE
STEELS
SURFACE COATING
ZINC PHOSPHATES