Accelerated Corrosion of Metallic and Reinforced Concrete Constructions when Connected to Lightning Conductors

Abstract

With the object of examining the influence on the corrosion of metallic and reinforced concrete constructions of their connection to lightning conductors (as is demanded by the regulations of some countries), the following measurements were made: (1) corrosion potentials of steel and copper specimens (in the form of sheets) in distilled water at 25°c vs time: (2) potentiostatic curves of steel and copper specimens (in the form of sheets) in distilled water at 25° c; (3) weight loss of steel and copper specimens in the form of sheets (in ASTM corrosion chamber) and in the form of tubes (by internal circulation of artificial sea water at 70° c) and of the reinforcements of reinforced concrete specimens (in circulating sea water at 25°c). All these experiments were done with the specimens both unconnected and connected to lightning conductors (or needles); in some cases artificial lightning was introduced. These experiments proved that connecting metallic specimens and reinforcements of reinforced concrete to lightning conductors (or metallic needles) increased their corrosion rate.

In subsequent papers the results of pilot plant and full scale experiments under natural conditons will be presented.