Aluminium corrosion in soil

[Prophet01]

For a number of reasons we’re trialling the use of 6mm aluminium angle to replace concrete edgings as an edge restraint for asphalt laying during footway reconstruction.
Concerns have been raised about its durability in respect of corrosion/decomposition.

From what I’ve read — that thin aluminium cans take 50 plus years to break down in landfill sites — suggests that this thickness of aluminium won’t corrode until much longer.
Does anyone have a knowledgeable view on this please.

 

[dik]

I don't know, but I suspect it depends on the type of soil... aluminum doesn't work so well in alkali soils... and I don't know how it fairs under low pH soils.

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[TugboatEng]

Aluminum is durable in dry soil. I see grass in your image which indicates the soil is not dry. Aluminum is also subject to crevice corrosion so the corrosion will be greatly accelerated when it's buried. I would expect significant wastage within a few years.

 

[EdStainless]

And if there is ever deicing solutions used then the Al will be done for.

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[weldstan]

From what I can see from the photo and per the above comments, Al is not suitable for the application. We had Al gas meters and would never set them on conrete or soil due to corrosion.

 

[dik]

The high pH of concrete very quickly corrodes aluminum.

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So strange to see the singularity approaching while the entire planet is rapidly turning into a hellscape. -John Coates

-Dik

 

[IRstuff]

The only reason aluminum cans survive the phosphoric acid in Coke is the plastic lining on the inside of the cans; we used to use hot phosphoric acid to etch aluminum in integrated circuits.

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[DAVIDSTECKER]

In the marine industry, Grade 5086 is used for below the waterline.

 

[SwinnyGG]

I suspect you'd be doing much better by using steel landscape edging, considering that its a product that:

A) already exists
B) is probably cheaper than AL angle
C) has a century long track record of being buried in the ground without much issue