Carbon enhanced cementitious coatings: Alternative anode materials for impressed current cathodic protection systems intended for reinforced concrete

In this study, the functionality of self-formulated carbon-based conductive coatings (CBCCs) with incorporation of graphite as the anode in an impressed current cathodic protection system is studied. The anode materials are tested and evaluated for long-term durability and performance by an accelerated durability test method. The results show that the functional time is highly dependent on the acceleration factor, and thus the charge passed through the material during testing, as well as the material composition. From the results, there are also indications that the addition of graphene into the CBCC matrix has a positive effect on the homogeneity of the material, but without any major influence on the conductivity and performance. Novel carbon-based conductive coatings, containing micro-graphite and a small amount of graphene, have been developed for use as the anode in an impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) system. By an accelerated test method, with different acceleration factors, the long-term durability and performance have been investigated, and it is shown that the anode materials can withstand relatively high applied current densities thus making them suitable as the anode in an ICPP system.image