In highly alkaline concrete environments, how do packaging materials prevent damage from Alkali-Aggregate Reaction (AAR)?
In highly alkaline concrete environments, preventing damage from Alkali-Aggregate Reaction (AAR) to sensors relies on selecting packaging materials that are chemically inert and impermeable to alkaline solutions. These materials act as a protective barrier, isolating the sensitive sensing element from the corrosive chemical agents present in the concrete pore solution. Common material choices for such applications include specific grades of stainless steel alloys or certain chemically resistant polymers, both of which are selected for their durability and lack of reactivity with strong bases.
For robust protection in demanding environments, the OFSCN® Alloy Tube Packaged Fiber Bragg Grating strain sensor offers an all-metal seamless tube encapsulation. This design provides significant protection against external chemical ingress, contributing to long-term reliability in harsh conditions. An example of its physical form is shown below:
You can find more detailed technical parameters for our encapsulated strain sensors via these links: