The effects of Lithium on hardened concrete

[mikeh]

What are the possible worst case effects of a lithium salt solution being spilled on a strucutral concrete floor slab.<br>Assuming that the spilled had been cleaned up within 30 days? Assuming that no clean-up had occurred?

 

[Ron]

Assuming you are talking about Lithium Nitrate, there should be no detrimental effect on the concrete.&nbsp;&nbsp;Lithium Nitrate can be used as an admixture in concrete to reduce the potential for alkali-silica reactivity (ASR).&nbsp;&nbsp;Carbonates of lithium can be deleterious to concrete.

 

[mikeh]

I am actually refferring to lithium bromide used in heating and cooling units. Would lithium bromide initiate corrosion in the reinforcement and/or encourage corrosion to such a degree that the spill alone could be blamed for spalling of the concrete due to corrosion of the reinforcement?

 

[Ron]

The lithium bromide used in absorption chillers is corrosive to steel.&nbsp;&nbsp;It usually has an inhibitor such as lithium nitrate or lithium chromate mixed with it to control corrosion, but in general, the lithium bromide could be expected to enhance the corrosion of rebar in concrete in a manner similar to chlorides.