The Albany Research Center, in collaboration with the Oregon Department of Transportation, is studying changes in the bond strength of thermal-sprayed zinc anodes on reinforced concrete during the early stages of electrochemical aging in impressed current cathodic protection (CP) systems where the zinc surface was not wetted. The bond strength of the zinc to the concrete decreased more rapidly with electrochemical aging when the zinc surface was not wetted than when wetted. The zinc-concrete interfacial chemistry for samples not wetted showed a greater buildup of choride and only weak evidence of secondary mineralization. pH at the zinc-concrete interface was around 7, which was similar to that measured for wetted surfaces. pH at the steel-concrete interface dld not change on aging, remained strongly basic, and was similiar to that for wetted samples.
Keywords: cathodic protection, thermal spray, zinc, concrete, steel, electrochemical aging, PH,
mineralization, bond strength, bridges, sandblasting