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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.

PUBLICATION #C600008
Copyright © 1960, The Aberdeen Group
All rights reserved

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