Investigation of Materials for the Reduction and Prevention of Corrosion on Highway Maintenance Equipment, TR-472, 2009

(2009) Investigation of Materials for the Reduction and Prevention of Corrosion on Highway Maintenance Equipment, TR-472, 2009. Transportation, Department of

Preview	PDF IADOT_tr_472_Investigation_Mats_Reduction_Prevention_Corrosion_Hwy_Maintenance_Equip_2009.pdf File Size:756kB
Preview	PDF TR-472 Tech Brief.pdf File Size:440kB

Abstract

The issue of corrosion of winter maintenance equipment is becoming of greater concern because of the increased use of liquid solutions of ice control chemicals, as opposed to their application in solid form. Being in liquid form, the ice control chemicals can more easily penetrate into the nooks and crannies on equipment and avoid being cleansed from the vehicle. Given this enhanced corrosive ability, methods must be found to minimize corrosion. The methods may include coatings, additives, cleansing techniques, other methods, and may also include doing nothing, and accepting a reduced equipment lifetime as a valid (perhaps) trade off with the enhanced benefits of using liquid ice control chemicals. In reality, some combination of these methods may prove to be optimal. Whatever solutions are selected, they must be relatively cheap and durable. The latter point is critical because of the environment in which maintenance trucks operate, in which scrapes, scratches and dents are facts of life. Protection methods that are not robust simply will not work. The purpose of this study is to determine how corrosion occurs on maintenance trucks, to find methods that would minimize the major corrosion mechanisms, and to