UTSA Researchers Tackle Corrosion in Reinforced Concrete

Brief 

A corrosion research laboratory at the University of Texas at San Antonio is working with Twin Hawk LLC to optimize a commercial-grade coating to curtail corrosion in reinforced concrete and enhance its long-term durability. The team is also working with Universidad de Costa Rica and Texas A&M University on an eco-friendly corrosion inhibitor for reinforced concrete.

Insight

Troconis is leading research that could lead to new ways to make building products safer.

At the center of this work is the UTSA Corrosion Research Laboratory, which was founded in 2016 by Rincon Troconis, an assistant professor in the Margie and Bill Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design’s mechanical engineering department.

With funding from five governmental and industry partners, Rincon Troconis and her team of student researchers, collaborators and visiting scientists are using the laboratory to integrate experimental approaches with accelerated degradation through harsh environments—including salts, temperature and humidity—and extensive materials characterization with computational modeling to better understand corrosion and assist industrial partners in mitigating its effects.

Below are some examples of the work taking place by Rincon Troconis’ team in the Corrosion Laboratory.

Addressing corrosion challenges head on

The UTSA Corrosion Laboratory, in collaboration with David Restrepo, assistant professor in the mechanical engineering department, and with co-principal investigator Rincon Troconis, is supporting the U.S. Office of Naval Research by investigating the effect of stress on corrosion kinetics.

“A report from aircraft teardowns showed that nearly 80% of cracks on military aircrafts have been found in close proximity to corrosion sites,” Rincon Troconis said. “Considering that aircrafts are also exposed to mechanical stress, it’s important to best understand how they affect corrosion.

This can be done through the evaluation of corrosion and attack on structural alloys in relevant conditions. All this information can feed structural life management tools and lead to more efficient maintenance schedules.”