C3-06 26.03.
01 16:23 Side 1
Chloride Resistance
Summary
The use of microsilica is very
favourable in concrete which
is subject to chloride attack
(road salt, sea salt). The
addition of Elkem Microsilica
will strongly reduce the
penetration of chlorides into
the concrete and therefore
delay the onset of corrosion.
Furthermore, the use of
Elkem Microsilica in concrete
will reduce the rate of
corrosion after initiation.
General
Reinforcement in concrete is
normally protected against
corrosion.A high alkalinity
gives the pore water a pH of
12.5–14, and this causes the
formation of a protective
passive oxide layer on the
steel surface.
Active corrosion begins if the
Fig. 2 Effect of ms on chloride diffusion
Elkem Microsilica®
CONCRETE
passive film is broken, locally
or over larger areas. This can
happen as a result of chloride
ingress or carbonation.
This datasheet deals with
chloride attack. Chlorides are
a common cause of the
breakdown of the passive
layer. If a sufficiently high
concentration of chloride ions
is established on the steel
surface, the passive layer will
be disrupted locally. Because
the flaw will be the small
anode to the large cathode of
passive steel, intense
corrosion can then take place
(pitting).
Chloride Sources
The most important sources
of chloride contamination are:
Sea salt:
Along the coast and in the
sea, chlorides from sea water
C3-06
Properties
0% MS
Ave. diff. coeff. (D*109cm2/sec)
5% MS
10% MS
15% MS
Fig. 1 Chloride diffusion (after Gautefall)
and sea spray can contaminate the road becoming
constructions, sometimes far contaminated. Moreover, cars
inland. will carry the contamination
Road salt: into parking garages (which
Salting of roads in winter leads prove to be particularly at
to concrete constructions in risk).
and along
Chloride
Penetration
Many investigations have been
made which document the
dramatic reduction in the rate
of chloride diffusion which is
achieved by using Elkem
Microsilica in concrete (Figs.
1, 2 ,3).The reduction is
mainly due to the refinement
of the concrete pore
structure. The use of Elkem
Microsilica reduces the
amount of continuous
capillary pores.
(Fidjestøl & Frearson)
C3-06 26.03.01 16:23 Side 2

1,0
Chloride content (% of powder)

1400
0,9
0,8 1200
20% MS

ohm-meter (1000)
0,7 1000
10% MS
0% MS
0,6
800
0,5
0,4 600

0,3 400
0,2
200
0,1
0
0,0

0,35

0,36

0,43
0,3

0,4

0,5

0,6

0,7

0,8

0,9
0 10 20 30 40 50

Silica fume content(%) W/C-ratio

Fig. 3 The chloride content at 16–20 mm depth as a function of the silica-fume Fig. 4 Specific resistance (after Vennesland)
content in 15 year old concrete from bridge edge beams
(Larsen & al. ,1996)

Rate of References 3. Detwiler, R. J., 5. Swamy, R. N., Laiw, J. C.:

Corrosion 1. Vennesland, Ø.: Kojundic,T., “Effectiveness of
When embedded steel has “Corrosion Properties for Fidjestøl, P.: Supplementary Cementing
started to corrode, the rate of Silica Concrete. Condensed “Evaluation of Staunton, Materials in Controlling
corrosion will be determined Silica Fume in Concrete”. Illinois, Bridge Deck Chloride Penetration into
by the transfer of oxygen NTH 1982. Overlays”,ACI Spring Concrete”,ACI Conf.,
through the concrete and by Convention, 1996. Paper No. SP 153-34, 1995.
the electrical resistivity of the 2. Gautefall, O.:
concrete. The oxygen transfer “Effect of Condensed Silica 4. Fidjestøl, P.,
will not necessarily be affected Fume on the Diffusion of Frearson, J.: 6. Stoklund Larsen, E.,
by the addition of Elkem Chlorides through “High-Performance Eriksen, K., Fidjestøl, P.,
Microsilica (factors such as Hardened Cement Paste”, Concrete Using Leth-Jensen, P.:
moisture state, etc. are Paper SP 91-46, Second Blended and Triple-Blended “Experience on Long-Term
dominant), but the electrical CANMET/ACI International Binders”,ACI Int. Performance of Silica-Fume
resistivity of concrete is Conference on the Use of Conference, Singapore, Concrete”,ACI Spring
strongly affected by the Fly Ash, Silica Fume, Slag and 1994. Convention, 1996.
addition of Elkem Microsilica. Natural Pozzolans in
As Figure 4 shows, the specific Concrete, Madrid, 1986.
resistance increases with an
increased Elkem Microsilica
content in the concrete.

The information given on this datasheet is based on many years of research and field experience and is accurate to the best knowledge of Elkem Materials.
However, due to the numerous factors that can affect the performance of a concrete, with or without microsilica,
Elkem Materials offers this information without guarantee and accepts no liability for any direct or indirect damage from its use.
If further information or assistance is required, please contact your local representative or the office number given on this datasheet.

CONCRETE PROPERTIES JANUARY 2001 C3-06

Elkem Microsilica® is a registered trademark and belongs to Elkem ASA Materials.

Elkem ASA Materials Telephone: +47 38 01 75 00

P.O. Box 8126 Vaagsbygd Telefax: +47 38 01 49 70
www.f-trykk.no

N-4675 Kristiansand S.
NORWAY e-mail: microsilica.materials@elkem.no
www.concrete.elkem.com