%0 Journal Article
%T The Performance of Carbon Fibre Composites as ICCP Anodes for Reinforced Concrete Structures
%A Chinh Van Nguyen
%A Paul Lambert
%A Pal Mangat
%A Fin O¡¯Flaherty
%A Graeme Jones
%J ISRN Corrosion
%D 2012
%R 10.5402/2012/814923
%X Cathodic protection has been proven to be one of the most widely applicable and cost-effective solutions for tackling steel corrosion in reinforced concrete. In this study, the possible use of carbon fibre composites, which are primarily used to strengthen concrete members, has been investigated as impressed current cathodic protection anodes. Carbon fibre anodes have been assessed in both concrete and calcium hydroxide solution. Two bonding mediums incorporating epoxy and geopolymer have also been investigated. The results demonstrate that epoxy resin can be used for bonding carbon fibre fabric anodes to reinforced concrete structures while geopolymer is more effective for bonding carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) rod into preformed grooves in the concrete surface. The dissolution of carbon fibre anode appears to stablise after a period of time, dependent upon the size and shape of the anode and applied voltage and current. Based on the present results, a maximum current density of 128£¿mA/m2 of reinforcing steel area is recommended for the operation of CFRP fabric anode and 64£¿mA/m2 of reinforcing steel area for that of CFRP rod anode. 1. Introduction Cathodic protection (CP) is a proven method of controlling corrosion in reinforced concrete through the application of a small DC current [1¨C4]. This can be applied either galvanically (e.g., by the preferential corrosion of zinc) or by an inert anode, referred to as impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) [5¨C9]. In atmospherically exposed reinforced concrete structures, the successful application of ICCP depends significantly upon the selection of appropriate anode systems [10, 11]. There are a number of anode systems currently available; these include: conductive carbon loaded paints, thermal sprayed zinc, coated titanium expanded mesh or mesh ribbon in a concrete overlay, coated titanium expanded mesh ribbon mortared into slots chased into the concrete, internal (discrete) anode, and conductive cementitious overlay containing nickel plated carbon fibre [11, 12]. The properties of the anode materials need to be considered and researched carefully to ensure they operate effectively during their required service life. Cathodic protection systems require a level of monitoring, generally by reference electrodes, to assess how well the system is controlling corrosion. For ICCP systems in reinforced concrete, the current can be adjusted to the appropriate value to protect the steel reinforcement [13]. The effectiveness of ICCP depends greatly on the correct operation of the anodes, their electrical
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/isrn.corrosion/2012/814923/