Skip to main content
Tag

#Cathodicprotection

If only they Galvanized! Paint means maintenance.

20 million annual maintenance!

The Sydney Harbour Bridge’s use of ferrous alloy presents a significant challenge in terms of protecting the structure from the ravages of corrosion. It is indeed a cruel irony that our most-used alloy for structures, steel, is also the one most damaged by exposure to the atmosphere. Steel, unlike many other metals, does not exhibit passivity. Passivity occurs when a metal or alloy reacts with the oxygen in the atmosphere to create a non-porous oxide film that protects the material from further oxidation. Unfortunately, steel oxidises to form rust, a corrosion product that is porous, which means that the rust exposes more metal to oxidation. On large panels, this rust may simply be surface corrosion which is really more an aesthetic problem in the short term and a minor problem in the long term.

Where this lack of passivity becomes a huge problem is in places where water can pool or seep into. A riveted structure like the Sydney Harbour Bridge is fertile ground for crevice corrosion to occur through concentration cells.

Crevice corrosion occurs when a small cavity or gap is created which allows water to pool. This then brings about a concentration cell. A concentration cell is where there is an electrolyte (a fluid capable of carrying current) with differing levels of aeration or concentration of oxygen. Areas of high oxygen concentration become the cathode while areas of low concentration become the anode.

The diagram below illustrates why this is a problem for a riveted structure. The rivet when exposed is not sealed against the entry of water; this means that water may seep into the small space between the rivet and the rivet hole in the plate. Any water in this area is likely to suffer differentials in aeration levels and we now have a situation suited to corrosion. If water is drawn into areas A and B, A would have more oxygen and become the cathode, while B would become the anode. This means part B, hidden from inspection, would slowly degrade and weaken the joint. Moreover, the gap between the plates, part C, could also become filled with water and create a concentration cell between the plates.

As the corrosion process continues, the corrosion product (iron oxide) takes up a greater volume than the original metal. Thus, as the corrosion cell grows, significant forces develop to tend to force the joint apart.

A rivet holding two steel plates together

A rivet holding two steel plates together.
While the gaps are exaggerated for this illustration, water can certainly seep into such places and create concentration cells.

How can this be avoided? In modern structures, we could circumvent this by galvanising the steel. By coating the steel with zinc we protect the structure from rusting because zinc will corrode in preference to steel. This is why galvanised steel is so common in steel structures nowadays.

As the Harbour Bridge is not galvanised, our only other solution is to take the approach used for cars: paint it. The paint effectively seals the steel from the atmosphere and alleviates rust formation. The problem with paint is that, unlike galvanising, it does not protect the steel if the steel becomes exposed. Additionally, the paint is degraded by ultra-violet radiation and weathering, so it must be continually replaced. Unlike a car, which is garaged and often well cared for, the Sydney Harbour Bridge?s paint takes a beating and must be continually replaced.

The original paint primer was lead oxide based with the finishing coats based on micaceous iron oxide. Both these paints are deleterious to the environment and the RTA is removing original paint layers and using modern coating materials in their place.

The initial three coats of paint placed on the bridge used 272 000 litres of paint. The replacement of the paint is a regular part of maintenance and an ongoing cost.

 

article?from :https://sydney-harbour-bridge.nesa.nsw.edu.au/engineering-studies/corrosion.php

The benefits of after-fabrication galvanizing

No other protective coating for steel provides the long life durability and predictable performance of hot dip galvanizing:

THA’S WHY THOSE IN THE KNOW – HOT DIP!

BENEFITS:
Competitive first cost: For many applications, the first cost is lower than alternative coatings
Long Life: Often exceeding 30 years
Lowest Lifetime cost: Low initial cost and long life make galvanizing the most versatile, economical method of protecting steel
Reliability: Specified at AS/NZS 4680 and equivalent World Standards
Speed of application: A fully protective coating can be applied in minutes
Complete Coverage: All exposed steelwork is completely coated both internally and externally
Ease of inspection: The nature of the process is such that if the coating looks continuous and sounds it is so
Coating toughness: Alloy layers are harder than the steel on which the coating is formed.
Adhesion: Metallurgically bonded to steel ( basically means the metal reaction joins the zinc and steel together making it stronger) painting doesn’t do that.
Coating thickness: Galvanized coatings are distinctly thicker at corners and edges, an important advantage over most organic coatings which thin out in these critical areas
Cathodic protection: Electrochemical protection of damaged areas
Faster construction: An off-site finish, geared to fast-track construction. Requires no -site repairs other than weld damage
Top Coats: Top coats can provide – Colour | Chemical resistance | synergistically – extended life
IMAGE DETAILS: Steel fabricated by Entegra Signatures Victoria
Transported to APG from Victoria
Galvanized by APG
Transported to Cairns by APG for delivery to site on the Atherton tablelands