Effects of Salt Type on Concrete Scaling

Abstract

Concrete specimens made from three different mixtures were tested for scaling resistance under the action of various salts. Scaling caused by a proprietary salt was significantly less than that occurring under the other salt solutions for 2 of the 3 mixes. Only pure deionized water caused less scaling. The proprietary salt solution was found to contain a significant quantity of magnesium. At this time it is not possible to conclusively state why the proprietary salt is less damaging to the concrete, but the authors suspect that the presence of the magnesium salts is playing a major role in the action of this material. More scaling occurred on the high strength concrete specimens when ponded with the proprietary salt compared with the low strength mixture. It was also found that scaling was worst when salt mixtures containing KCI were used to pond the specimens.