Some things you should know about the effects of concrete on aluminum
ALUMINUM IN CONCRETE BY R. I. LINBERG CORROSION ENGINEER REYNOLDS METALS COMPANY RICHMOND, VIRGINIA.
A luminum is widely and success-
fully used in contact with con- crete. But in spite of its long history attack may be intolerable. There- fore, in areas where aluminum is ex- posed, it must be protected from ing. Additions of chlorides to concrete are frequently made and, in general, of acceptance, the use of aluminum splashes or droppings of mortar and such additions cause no adverse ef- in concrete, mortar, or plaster is oc- plaster. Such protection is afforded fect on aluminum. Corrosion during casionally questioned on the basis by an easily removed coating such the setting period may proceed that these materials show a definite as strippable plastic or an oil. In- more rapidly but once the concrete alkaline reaction. deed, used crankcase oil will protect has set, the action ceases. The complete picture of what the surface temporarily and can The addition of chlorides (either happens when aluminum is in con- easily be removed with solvent or as calcium chloride or in magne- tact with concrete involves differen- soap and water. A clear methacry- sium oxychloride cement) can ag- tiating between surface attack and late coating properly applied will al- gravate galvanic corrosion of alu- attack involving structural damage so protect aluminum and need not minum in concrete. Such galvanic to aluminum. When aluminum is in be removed. attack is not peculiar to concrete contact with fresh concrete, a sur- There are a number of special and, in fact, the concrete serves on- face reaction does occur between types of concrete made for special ly as a medium for carrying the liq- the aluminum and the alkaline con- purposes, in all of which aluminum uid solution (electrolyte) necessary stituents of the concrete resulting in performs without difficulty. In for galvanic corrosion. Wright, Go- a slight superficial attack on the heavy aggregate concretes consist- dard & Jenks (Engineering Journal, metal. This attack occurs over the ing of magnetite aggregate in port- October 1954) have this to say: “Cal- first four or five days and then sub- land cement, aluminum lost a max- cium chloride additions to concrete sides. In this four- to five-day peri- imum of 2 mils in a year’s exposure. mixes do not cause an increase in od, aluminum will be etched to a When this heavy aggregate cement the corrosion rate. However, some depth of _ to 1 mil (1 mil=.001 inch). was maintained in a continuously work recently completed indicates The depth of attack after one year wet condition, aluminum exhibited that if stray electric currents are pre- will generally be less than 2 mils and an occasional pit up to 10 mils in sent, corrosion may be greatly in- little additional attack is noticed one year. (Work done for Reynolds creased. Also, where aluminum is thereafter. Unless there is frequent Metals Company by the University embedded in concrete containing intermittent wetting and drying, no of Louisville.) calcium chloride and is in contact appreciable corrosion will take Aluminum performs equally well with steel similarly embedded in place and no deterioration of the in magnesium oxychloride cements. concrete, appreciable galvanic cor- properties of aluminum will occur Here again, an initial etching occurs rosion of the aluminum may occur, except in very thin sections. Under and then attack slows down to prac- especially under damp conditions.” continuously wet conditions alu- tically nothing. When aluminum di- Galvanic corrosion can be pre- minum in concrete is only slightly vider strips are used in terrazzo vented if aluminum is not allowed attacked. Research done in the labo- flooring, it is advisable to coat them to contact other metals such as steel ratories of the writer’s company with a clear methacrylate coating to reinforcing rods. Prevention of at- shows a maximum attack of 1.7 mils prevent the superficial attack. Such tack is simply and inexpensively ob- on aluminum exposed for one year attack releases small amounts of hy- tained by coating the aluminum in concrete. drogen and causes small crevices with an asphalt or bituminous paint As far as structural integrity is adjacent to the aluminum. Crevices, over the areas of possible contact. concerned, the attack by cement or and the water which can collect in Plastic tapes will also prevent con- mortar is of no consequence. As far them, can cause increased corro- tact. Where aluminum is in contact as appearance is concerned, such sion in applications such as floor- with concrete containing calcium Some simple examples of just a few of the many ways in which aluminum and concrete come together in modern construction. Above: an aluminum post set in concrete. Below: aluminum conduit protruding from a concrete slab.
chloride and will remain perma-
nently damp, it is well to coat the aluminum as already described. Inasmuch as crevices tend to pro- mote the corrosion of aluminum, they should be eliminated wherever possible. For instance, when alu- minum extends through a concrete surface, crevices can be formed at the aluminum-concrete jointure. Again, a bituminous paint over the contact area will prevent corrosion. In such a case, an aluminum pig- mented paint will not mar the ap- pearance of the aluminum. To summarize, aluminum is not affected beyond a slight surface at- tack by concrete, mortar, or plaster either with or without usual addi- tives in all normally encountered environments. When dissimilar metals are in contact with alu- minum in concrete, the aluminum will suffer accelerated attack; how- ever, inexpensive paints are avail- able to prevent this type of attack.