Securing Concrete from Chemical Degradation caused by Chloride and Sulfuric Acid through Epoxy Coating

Abstract

This investigation looks at the effectiveness of epoxy coatings in mitigating chemical degradation in concrete structures subjected to Sulphuric acid and chloride attacks. Concrete, a widely used construction material, is susceptible to deterioration in aggressive environments, which can significantly compromise its structural integrity and lifespan. This study specifically focuses on the impact of 0.35% sulphur and chloride solutions on the mechanical characteristics of M30 concrete, evaluating its flexural, compressive, and STSs over a 28-day period. Experimental results demonstrate that exposure to Sulphuric acid leads to a 16% reduction in CSt, a 23% decrease in flexural strength, and a 24% decline in split-tensile strength. Similarly, chloride exposure results in a 15% reduction in CSt, an 18% reduction in flexural strength, and a 25% reduction in STS after 28 days. However, the application of epoxy coatings on the chemically attacked specimens significantly enhances their mechanical performance. Specifically, epoxy treatment results in a 9% increase in compressive strength for sulphur-exposed specimens and a 12% increase for chloride-exposed specimens. Additionally, flexural strength improves by 19.1% and 10%, while an raises in split-tensile strength by 15% and 12% for sulphur and chloride attacks, respectively. The findings of this study underscore the critical role of epoxy coatings as a protective measure against chemical attacks, effectively restoring and enhancing the durability of concrete structures. This investigation contributes to the understanding of concrete performance in aggressive environments and highlights the importance of employing protective strategies to increase the concrete infrastructures' service life.