Steel is common choice in the construction industry due to its many benefits in strength, cost, and fabrication. Despite its many benefits steel tends to corrode in most atmospheres.
The corrosion is an electrochemical process that requires the presence of moisture and oxygen. The steel oxidises in the atmosphere to produce rust, which is the brown colouration in the image below, this consumes roughly six times the volume of the steel.
The rate in which steel corrodes is based on 2 factors:
1. Time of wetness
2. Atmospheric pollution
The time of wetness is the proportion of total time the surface is wet due to rainfall or climate condensation. factors such as heating or cooling inside a building must also be taken into consideration as this affects the amount of moisture available to the steel.
Atmospheric pollution is amount of contaminates in the air (e.g. sulphates, chlorides, dust etc.), these pollutants can have a reactive affect on the environment increasing climate and in exchange moisture in the air leading to higher levels of corrosion.
Rafeletos Zanuttini is regularly engaged by clients to advise on these situations. We provide consulting on remediation works on corroded beams and structures to restore structural integrity. Please call (02) 9554 9311 or email admin@rafzan.com.au
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