On-Site X-Ray Fluorescence Testing for Presence of Corrosive Drywall
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 23, Issue 7
Abstract
Corrosive drywall, also known as Chinese drywall, emits gases that cause corrosion of copper components within a building. Corrosive drywall has a strontium content that is often different from tested drywall sourced in North America. The strontium content can be used as a marker for the presence of corrosive drywall, in conjunction with visual evaluation of nearby copper components and confirmatory laboratory tests. This paper presents a methodology for on-site testing of the strontium content of drywall by X-ray fluorescence, along with supplemental laboratory testing of selected samples by exposure-testing of copper coupons. Testing has indicated populations of noncorrosive drywall with strontium contents both lower than and greater than that of the affected drywall.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 23 • Issue 7 • July 2011
Pages: 1050 - 1056
Copyright
© 2011 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jul 29, 2010
Accepted: Jan 12, 2011
Published online: Jan 14, 2011
Published in print: Jul 1, 2011
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