Sulphate Content

Testing for sulphate content of dust samples can be undertaken to assess the presence of water soluble and alkali sulphates in the concrete matrix. Sulphates can attack concrete when the ground contains high levels or sulphates, or the concrete is in prolonged contact with industrial wastewater. It is often seen in water treatment waste tanks and can be identified by the deterioration of the concrete matrix, which turns into a soft paste and falls away from the surface of the concrete. It can also happen inside concrete and cause cracking due to the expansion of the concrete matrix when the sulphate reacts with the concrete.