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4specs Discussion Forum » Archive - Product Discussions #6 » PAINTED ALUMINUM IN CONTACT WITH DISSIMILAR MATERIALS « Previous Next »

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Jerome J. Lazar, RA, CCS, CSI, NCARB
Senior Member
Username: lazarcitec

Post Number: 1857
Registered: 05-2003
Posted on Thursday, January 18, 2018 - 12:08 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

I typically specify that painted aluminum receive a coating of alkali resistant paint when touching cementitious materials, however if the painted aluminum meets AAMA 2605, the requirement is optional. One of the major coating manufacturers has reached out to me and advised that if there is not 100% coverage, no paint coating will protect the aluminum from potential corrosion.

Any comments from my peers?
James Sandoz, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA
Senior Member
Username: jsandoz

Post Number: 226
Registered: 06-2005


Posted on Thursday, January 18, 2018 - 02:18 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

I've been specifying a polyamide epoxy for aluminum in contact with masonry, concrete, or other cementitious materials. Look at Sherwin-Williams Macropoxy 646-100 as an example.
Brett Scarfino (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Posted on Thursday, January 18, 2018 - 05:21 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Are they subtly suggesting 100% coverage is not required by spec? 2605 coatings are typically limited to visible/exposed surfaces, with an abrupt cut-off point. On coil coated sheet, I suspect 50% coverage might be standard; worth a few phone calls.
Michael Chusid, RA FCSI CCS
Senior Member
Username: michael_chusid

Post Number: 357
Registered: 10-2003


Posted on Thursday, January 18, 2018 - 06:11 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Coatings can be scratched and do not protect edges. If practical, consider a more robust barrier such as strips or sheets of roofing or waterproofing membrane. Or, use stainless steel and paint to match the aluminum.
Michael Chusid, RA FCSI CCS 1-818-219-4937
www.chusid.com www.buildingproduct.guru
David J. Wyatt, CDT
Senior Member
Username: david_j_wyatt_cdt

Post Number: 224
Registered: 03-2011
Posted on Friday, January 19, 2018 - 08:46 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Good idea, Michael Chusid. We use the same principle inside the building with steel studs at outside walls and on slabs. Isolating metals is a good Division 01 Execution Requirements provision if not a general note on the drawings.
ken hercenberg
Senior Member
Username: khercenberg

Post Number: 1143
Registered: 12-2006


Posted on Friday, January 19, 2018 - 09:47 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

I believe that powder-coating with 2605 PVDF and FEVE products coats both sides but, as Michael points out, does not protect at scratches or cut edges.

I avoid using sleeves in concrete, preferring instead to cast pipe and tube directly into the concrete as this tends to trap less water longterm so painting with an HPC is a good idea. The hard part always seems to be avoiding placement at joints in the concrete.

Bigger question is how to isolate dissimilar metals like aluminum from galvanized steel. Bituminous coatings are no longer suggested. I like James's idea of a polyamide epoxy but I'm not sure it will block galvanic action. Where possible, I usually go with Michael's suggestion using a neoprene or other rubber isolator, preferably at least 60 mils thick as this works well as a gasketing material. Obviously this generates a lot of negative feedback from Contractors.
Brett Scarfino (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Posted on Friday, January 19, 2018 - 12:42 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Ken - curious why you suspect epoxy would not block galvanic action?
Michael Chusid, RA FCSI CCS
Senior Member
Username: michael_chusid

Post Number: 359
Registered: 10-2003


Posted on Friday, January 19, 2018 - 02:00 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Good summary of aluminum/concrete interaction at http://www.theconcreteproducer.com/how-to/concrete-production/how-does-contact-with-aluminum-affect-concrete_o.

Questions that may help you find solution:

Is concrete cured before aluminum is installed?

Is moisture or another electrolyte present?

Do you care what the aluminum looks like or how it performs when it corrodes?

Is there room for products of corrosion to expand without cracking concrete?

Is aluminum in vicinity of iron, copper, or other dissimilar metal?

Can you reduce the alkalinity of concrete by using pozzolans?
Michael Chusid, RA FCSI CCS 1-818-219-4937
www.chusid.com www.buildingproduct.guru
ken hercenberg
Senior Member
Username: khercenberg

Post Number: 1146
Registered: 12-2006


Posted on Friday, January 19, 2018 - 04:25 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Brett, I've never had a chemist tell me that it does. I presume that it would, just as the old zinc chromate paints did, but I've never heard anything definitive one way or the other.

Have you? I'd appreciate knowing. Even better if there is also something available that can also stand up to UV.
J. Peter Jordan
Senior Member
Username: jpjordan

Post Number: 1015
Registered: 05-2004
Posted on Saturday, January 20, 2018 - 08:09 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Michael; good list of questions, but I have to wonder when you would have concrete that does not have some moisture content, or have I just been working too long in Houston.
J. Peter Jordan, FCSI, AIA, CCS, LEED AP, SCIP
Michael Chusid, RA FCSI CCS
Senior Member
Username: michael_chusid

Post Number: 361
Registered: 10-2003


Posted on Saturday, January 20, 2018 - 08:49 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Peter -

Perhaps it is I that has been baking too long in the hot Los Angeles sun.
Michael Chusid, RA FCSI CCS 1-818-219-4937
www.chusid.com www.buildingproduct.guru
Brett Scarfino (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Posted on Sunday, January 21, 2018 - 11:38 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

ken - at face value, I'd expect most epoxies to be non conductive, which ought to break the circuit. Not sure how durable to UV, water, salts, etc. and there are a ton of different epoxies.
James Sandoz, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA
Senior Member
Username: jsandoz

Post Number: 227
Registered: 06-2005


Posted on Monday, January 22, 2018 - 09:45 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

In general epoxies alone are not very uV resistant that is one reason many epoxy based systems in exterior applications have a urethane top coat. This is taken directly from the PPG web site:

"Epoxy coatings provide excellent resistance to severe corrosiveness such as chemicals and alkali. Many epoxy coatings, not necessarily all, offer excellent barrier protection for both atmospheric and immersion environments. When epoxy is used on exterior surfaces where it is exposed to uV rays, it is recommended to also apply a layer of topcoat, such as urethane, to prevent the epoxy from yellowing or chalking."

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