Epoxy Coated Reinforcement Bars

The epoxy coating is intended to serve as a physical barrier to protect the reinforcing steel. Concrete normally provides a passive, electrically neutral film around the steel because of the high pH of the concrete. However, when chlorides in the presence of water and oxygen, penetrate the concrete, the pH is reduced and the passive film is destroyed. This allows the corrosion reaction to start at the steel surface. As diagrammed in Figure 1.1, the corrosion reaction consists of a simultaneous cathodic reaction and anodic reaction. The steel acts as an electrode that couples the two reactions.

Features of Epoxy Coated Bars

• The main advantage of epoxy resins (coating on TMT Reinforcement Bar) are their adherence and good electrical resistence to flow of corrosion current. Currently this is the most widely used an anti corrosion coating on the steel.
  
• The Epoxy Coating of Steel Reinforcement Bar used in concrete structures with fusion bonded epoxy thermo set resin improves the corrosion resistance of the bar and increases the life of the structures.
  
• The life of concrete structures reinforced with Epoxy Coated Steel Bars is significantly extended in comparison to structures reinforced with uncoated bars.