Oxygen Permeability of Fiber-Reinforced Polymers
Publication: Journal of Composites for Construction
Volume 15, Issue 4
Abstract
Several independent studies have confirmed that fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP) used for repairing corrosion-damaged concrete structures slow down the corrosion rate. This suggests that in this application, FRP serves as a barrier to the ingress of moisture and oxygen that are critically important for sustaining electrochemical corrosion of steel in concrete. Because oxygen molecules are smaller than both water and chloride molecules, they diffuse faster. Therefore, their permeation through FRP is more critical. This paper presents results from an experimental study that determined the oxygen permeability of FRP laminates. Four different commercially available carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) and glass-fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) systems were investigated, and four different fiber orientations were evaluated for one-layer and two-layer configurations. The results showed that the oxygen permeability of FRP was somewhat poorer than the epoxy used for its fabrication. Single-layer FRP laminates were less permeable than two-layer laminates, a finding that had previously been reported but considered anomalous. Scanning electron micrographs indicated that this could be attributed to voids between the layers. The nonzero oxygen permeability of FRP explains why it can slow down but cannot completely stop chloride-induced corrosion of concrete.
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Acknowledgments
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. NSFCMS-0409401. The contribution of Sanchari Chowdhury is gratefully acknowledged. Matthew Durshimer, Ricardo Fernandez, Purvik Patel, and Madelyn Rubin helped with the experimental work.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Composites for Construction
Volume 15 • Issue 4 • August 2011
Pages: 513 - 521
Copyright
© 2011 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Feb 19, 2010
Accepted: Oct 27, 2010
Published online: Oct 30, 2010
Published in print: Aug 1, 2011
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