Anode assembly for selective corrosion protection of metal parts in concrete

Abstract

An anode assembly for the corrosion protection of metal parts embedded in concrete. An ion-conducting material is placed between the metal part that is to be protected and the anode, wherein the ion-conducting material exhibits higher ionic conductivity than the surrounding concrete, thus directing the protective current specifically towards the metal part. A galvanic sacrificial anode may be provided, made, e.g., from zinc and its alloys or aluminum and its alloys. The purpose of the material with higher ionic conductivity than the surrounding concrete is to selectively direct the protective galvanic current towards the metal part that is to be protected. The ion conducting material exhibits 20%, and more preferably 50%, higher conductivity than the surrounding concrete. A suitable ion-conducting material that exhibits ion-exchange properties may comprise tecto-alumo-silicate materials. The anode may be placed in close contact to or may be embedded into the ion-conducting material as well.

1 . A system for the corrosion protection of a tensioning assembly embedded in a post tensioned concrete member, comprising:
 a tensioning assembly comprising an anchor plate, an anchor head, and a tensioned tendon, wherein said tensioning assembly is embedded in said post tensioned concrete member;   structural reinforcement embedded in said post tensioned concrete member;   a surface anode extending along an exterior surface of said post tensioned concrete member; and   an ion-conducting material comprising a tecto-aluminosilicate binder extending between and in contact with each of said tensioning assembly and said surface anode, said ion-conducting material exhibiting at least 20% higher ionic conductivity than said post tensioned concrete member;   wherein said ion-conducting material is configured to selectively direct a corrosion protective current from said surface anode to said tensioning assembly without directing said corrosion protective current to said structural reinforcement.