Influence of Sodium and Potassium Formate on the ASR Reactivity of Granite Aggregate

Use of de-icing agents is necessary in winter to maintain appropriate quality of road and airport surfaces. Formate or acetate de-icing agents are safer for aircraft and the environment than the commonly used sodium chloride, but may cause an alkali-silica reaction in concrete. The study investigated the influence of sodium formate and potassium formate on the occurrence of ASR (alkali-silica reaction) in mortars with granite aggregate. Accelerated mortar-bar tests at 80°C using various de-icing agents were performed and detailed studies of the SEM-EDS microstructure were carried out.