As a key component in building waterproofing projects, the stability of the performance of iron waterstop steel plate is directly related to the waterproofing effect of the building. However, in actual engineering applications, the rust problem of waterstop steel plate is common, which seriously threatens the waterproofing performance of the building. Understanding the hazards caused by rust and taking effective protective measures are of great significance to ensuring the quality of building waterproofing projects.
The rust of iron waterstop steel plate is essentially an oxidation-reduction reaction between metal and the surrounding environment. When the waterstop steel plate is exposed to a humid environment, the iron elements on the surface combine with oxygen and moisture in the air to form loose and porous rust. The volume of rust is larger than that of iron itself, which will produce expansion stress, causing structural damage such as cracks and deformation of the waterstop steel plate. As the degree of rust deepens, the integrity of the waterstop steel plate is destroyed, the originally tight waterproof barrier has gaps, and groundwater or rainwater can penetrate, making the building waterproofing system ineffective. For example, in a basement that has been in a high humidity environment for a long time, the rusted waterstop steel plate may have obvious cracks within a few years, resulting in frequent leakage problems.
The corrosion of waterstop steel plate not only affects its own performance, but also accelerates the deterioration of the surrounding concrete. The iron ions in the rust will react chemically with the alkaline substances in the concrete, reduce the alkalinity of the concrete, and destroy the alkaline protective barrier of the concrete. At the same time, the stress generated by the expansion of rust will be transmitted to the concrete, causing cracks in the concrete. These cracks provide channels for water and corrosive media, further accelerating the carbonization and corrosion process of the concrete. When the concrete structure is damaged, the bonding force between the waterstop steel plate and the concrete decreases, and the two cannot work together. The integrity of the entire waterproof structure is destroyed and the waterproof performance is greatly reduced.
If the leakage problem caused by the corrosion of a waterstop steel plate is not handled in time, it will trigger a chain reaction. The leaked water will spread along the cracks in the concrete or the weak parts of the structure, resulting in a larger range of leakage, and may even cause the failure of other waterstop steel plates or waterproof nodes. In order to repair the leakage problem, large-scale repairs or re-construction are required, which not only increases the maintenance cost, but also may affect the normal use of the building. In addition, long-term leakage may also cause the internal structure of the building to become damp and moldy, breed bacteria, affect the quality of the indoor environment, and threaten the health of personnel; in severe cases, it may even weaken the strength of the building structure and bring safety hazards.
To prevent the corrosion of iron products waterstop steel plate, we should start with the selection of materials. Steel with strong corrosion resistance should be given priority, such as stainless steel waterstop steel plate. The passivation film formed on its surface can effectively prevent oxygen and moisture from contacting the metal, greatly reducing the risk of corrosion. If ordinary carbon steel waterstop steel plate is used, it is necessary to ensure that the carbon content and impurity content of the steel meet the standards to avoid accelerated corrosion due to material quality problems. At the same time, the waterstop steel plate is pre-treated before leaving the factory, such as hot-dip galvanizing, chrome plating and other surface treatment processes, to form a dense protective film on the surface of the steel plate to enhance its corrosion resistance.
During the construction process, reasonable processes can reduce the possibility of corrosion of the waterstop steel plate. First, ensure that the installation position of the waterstop steel plate is accurate to avoid water accumulation and dirt accumulation due to improper installation, forming a humid rust environment. Secondly, strengthen the welding quality control of waterstop steel plate to ensure that the weld is full, without pores and slag inclusions, and prevent the weld from rusting due to defects. In addition, during the concrete pouring process, it should be vibrated and compacted to ensure that the waterstop steel plate is closely combined with the concrete, reduce gaps and bubbles, and prevent moisture from penetrating into the interface between the steel plate and the concrete.
In addition to the early material and construction control, the later protection is equally important. During the use of the building, the waterstop steel plate parts should be inspected regularly, and the signs of rust should be dealt with in time. For minor rust, sandpaper can be used to polish and remove rust, and then anti-rust paint can be applied for protection; for severely rusted parts, new waterstop steel plates need to be replaced. At the same time, strengthen the ventilation and moisture-proof management of the building, reduce indoor humidity, and improve the working environment of the waterstop steel plate. For example, dehumidification equipment can be installed in the basement to keep the air dry and reduce the chance of the waterstop steel plate contacting humid air.
With the development of science and technology, new anti-corrosion technologies are constantly emerging, providing new ways to protect iron products waterstop steel plates. For example, nano-coating technology can form a nano-thick super-hydrophobic and super-corrosion-resistant coating on the surface of waterstop steel plate, effectively isolating moisture and corrosive media; electrochemical anti-corrosion technology uses current or sacrificial anode to make waterstop steel plate a cathode, thereby preventing it from undergoing oxidation reactions. Applying these new technologies to building waterproofing projects can significantly improve the anti-corrosion performance of waterstop steel plate and ensure the long-term stable operation of the building waterproofing system.
