A Study on Chloride Threshold Level of Polymer Inhibitive Coating Containing Calcium Hydroxide

Various types of coatings have been developed for use as reinforcement in concrete and to resist chloride environment. The most commonly used coatings are inhibited and sealed cement slurry coating, cement polymer compositing coating and epoxy coating. Cement slurry offers passive protection, epoxy coating offers barrier protection whereas polymer coating offers both passive protection and barrier protection. Moreover, damage during handling of the steel may result in disbondment of the epoxy coating, which would increase the risk of localized corrosion. In the present study, inhibiting technique was used to increase the calcium hydroxide content at the interface up to 20%. Calcium hydroxide provides a high buffering capacity that resists a local fall in pH and thus maintains the alkaline environment necessary to prevent chloride corrosion. This study examines the use of a calcium hydroxide coating on the steel surface to enhance the pH buffering capacity of steel-concrete interface. Finally, the chloride threshold level (CTL) of polymer inhibitive coating calcium hydroxide is evaluated.