Chemical Engineering @ChemengFiles.Com

The phenomenon of concrete carbonation is a very worrying given the serious consequences that may result, resulting from corrosion of reinforcement responsible for sustaining the structures of buildings. While there are various factors that influence the corrosion of reinforcing steel (oxygen, moisture, pH, etc.) Massive release of CO2 into the atmosphere plays a dominant role in the electrolytic connection for the activation of destructive process.

While calcium hydroxide, sodium and potassium, dissolved in the aqueous component of concrete, are responsible for the high pH which acts as a shield of steel, when the CO2 enters the concrete is a reaction between the liquid phase hydroxides interstitial hydrated cement compounds, so that when all the Ca (OH) 2, Na (OH) and K (OH) present in the pores have been carbonate, the pH begins to decrease, resulting in an acidic environment that produces a steady and progressive corrosive effect on steel.

The phenomenon of concrete carbonation is a very worrying given the serious consequences that may result, resulting from corrosion of reinforcement responsible for sustaining the structures of buildings. While there are various factors that influence the corrosion of reinforcing steel (oxygen, moisture, pH, etc.) Massive release of CO2 into the atmosphere plays a dominant role in the electrolytic connection for the activation of destructive process.

While calcium hydroxide, sodium and potassium, dissolved in the aqueous component of concrete, are responsible for the high pH which acts as a shield of steel, when the CO2 enters the concrete is a reaction between the liquid phase hydroxides interstitial hydrated cement compounds, so that when all the Ca (OH) 2, Na (OH) and K (OH) present in the pores have been carbonate, the pH begins to decrease, resulting in an acidic environment that produces a steady and progressive corrosive effect on steel.

To investigate the phenomena related to corrosion of reinforcement, the effect of CO2, are used carbonation chambers developed by ITC.

With this type of cameras is possible to investigate the corrosion rate in terms of different relative humidities (40, 80 and 98% RH) and various concentrations of carbon dioxide, temperature controlled.

CCI developed since 1967, under the AENOR certification, testing cameras carbonation, accelerated corrosion and climate model for research and quality control. In this regard it is noteworthy that ITC has made this type of test chambers for the entities of the utmost importance and most prestigious research centers exist today, such as the Eduardo Torroja Institute (CSIC), etc.