ISSN: 0090-3973
Page Count: 9

Corrosiveness of Chromate Exposure to Steel Embedded in Soil or Concrete

Poston, RW
Principal, project engineer, and staff engineer,Whitlock Dalrymple Poston & Associates, Inc.,VA,

Galitz, CL
Principal, project engineer, and staff engineer,Whitlock Dalrymple Poston & Associates, Inc.,VA,

Yates, JS
Principal, project engineer, and staff engineer,Whitlock Dalrymple Poston & Associates, Inc.,VA,

(Received 26 June 1995; accepted 19 June 1996)

Abstract

This paper presents findings from a one-year laboratory study conducted to assess the corrosion susceptibility of steel in concrete and in soil when exposed to chromates and other selected chemicals. The findings are based on electrical potential and resistance measurements taken for each of 16 corrosion cells, 8 of which were concrete and the remainder soil. A post-mortem inspection was conducted to visually confirm corrosion activity. For each medium, comparison and control cells were fabricated to relate the corrosion potential of chromium to other solutions, such as water, chlorine bleach, sodium hydroxide, and sodium chloride. Where appropriate, results were compared to previously reported research studies. Based on results of this study, it is concluded that chromate solutions are no more corrosive to reinforcing steel in soil and in concrete than is distilled water.

Keywords:
chemical exposure, chloride-induced corrosion, chloride ions, chromates, chromium concentration, concrete, corrosion, environmental exposure, macrocell corrosion, reinforcing steel, soil, steel

Paper ID: JTE11463J
DOI: 10.1520/JTE11463J
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