Application of electron probe micro analysis and ion selective electrode techniques to monitorthe efficiency of electrochemical chloride extraction in cementitious materials

ABSTRACT

Electrochemical chloride extraction (ECE) from laboratory prepared mortar samples has been applied considering two experimental configurations; using different external anodes and studying the influence of aggregate size.ECE experimental conditions together with analytical procedures were carefully addressed. Combination of two analytical methods has been employed to monitor the efficiency of chloride extraction process; chloride ion selective electrode (ISE) to obtain free chloride cumulative amount in the external anolyte solution upon applying ECE, and electron probe micro analysis (EPMA)to gain depth profile information of chloride in the mortar samples before and after ECE process. A comparison between three X-ray detection based analytical techniques has been briefly reviewed. ECE performance was discussed and recommendations were introduced.

KEYWORDS:

• Cementitious materials
• chloride attack
• electrochemical chloride extraction
• EPMA
• ISE

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the Director General of the AECS for support. Conducting EPMA by N. Alkafri is and ISE measurements by Z. Alhariri are also highly appreciated.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).