kloridiherkille

Kloridiherkille is a term used in Finnish technical literature to describe substances, materials, or systems that are especially sensitive to chloride ions. It denotes a susceptibility to deterioration, loss of protective properties, or failure when exposed to environments containing chlorides.

In metals, chloride ions can penetrate protective oxide layers and promote local breakdown, leading to pitting and crevice corrosion. This is a major concern for carbon steel reinforcement in concrete and for certain stainless steels under high chloride exposure. In reinforced concrete, chloride ions migrate through the pore structure and can depassivate the embedded steel, accelerating corrosion and widening cracks. Other materials and devices that rely on electrolytic environments with chlorides—such as some polymers, coatings, or electronic components with chloride-containing electrolytes—may also exhibit degradation or performance loss when exposed to chlorides.

Assessment of chloride sensitivity involves measuring chloride concentration, diffusion behavior, and corrosion rate using electrochemical tests and standardized salt-environment tests. Mitigation strategies include barrier coatings and sealants to limit chloride ingress, selection of corrosion-resistant alloys or protective coatings, cathodic protection for metal structures, and designing concrete systems with lower permeability and adequate cover to reduce chloride exposure.

The concept is widely discussed in corrosion engineering and construction practice, particularly in marine and de-icing contexts. It is primarily used as a descriptive term within Finnish literature and aligns with the broader phenomenon of chloride-induced degradation observed in various materials and environments. See also corrosion, chloride ion, pitting corrosion, reinforced concrete.