Mechanical Characterization Of Enamel Coated Steel Bars

Status

Sequential Number

Identification Number

Matching Research Agency

Roesch Inc.

Principal Investigator

Student Involvement

Project Objective

The objectives of this particular study are to demonstrate that enamel-coated steel bars are comparable to conventional steel bars in mechanical properties and demonstrate that they are superior to epoxy bars in field handling and less susceptible to impact damage.

Project Abstract

Steel bars can be coated with enamels or glass to reduce or eliminate the tendency of steel corrosion in various applications, such as reinforced concrete (RC) decks, beams and columns. The chemical bond between enamel and steel materials is a key to make an enamel-coated steel corrosion free. Therefore, it is essential to characterize the mechanical and bonding properties of enamel-coated steels. To show competitiveness, the performance and cost of enamel-coated steel bars must be compared with those of the current technology such as epoxy reinforcing steel bars.

In various applications of an enamel-coated steel bar, potential limit states include cracking and spalling of enamel coatings, surface impact damage of coatings, corrosion of steel components, and debonding of enamel from its coated steel bar. The proposed study is aimed at quantifying the ruggedness of enamel coatings and their bonding with steel and concrete.

In a short term, the objectives of this particular study are to demonstrate that enamel-coated steel bars are comparable to conventional steel bars in mechanical properties and demonstrate that they are superior to epoxy bars in field handling and less susceptible to impact damage. The specific scope of work includes:

• Cracking and spalling tests of enamel coatings with tensile specimens in order to understand the levels of the tensile deformation in steel bars that correspond to cracking of the enamel materials and their spalling off the steel bars, respectively.
• Impact resistance tests of enamel coatings with the projectile impact on enamel coated steel bars and on epoxy coated bars.
• Toughness tests of enamel-coated steel bars to document the minimum ratio of bent bars or the minimum number of bending cycles applied on bent bars before cracking.
• Thermal tests for the compatibility between enamel and steel with tensile specimens.

Task Description

N/A

Anticipated Benefits

Development of an innovative coating system capable of overcoming the drawbacks of conventional epoxy coated bars.

Modal Orientation

Milestones

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Technology Transfer Activities

Transportation Research Board Keywords

Enamel coated bars, corrosion inhibition, epoxy coated bars