# Durability Issues and Corrosion of Structural Materials and Systems in Farm Environment
## 4 Mitigation of Corrosion  
Considering that corrosion has been identified as one of the threats to the structural integrity of steel structures, new materials have been developed to mitigate the risk of corrosion, including fiber-reinforced polymers [21], nanoscale pozzolanic and other cement additives [22], and stainless-clad reinforcing bars [23]. A greater emphasis is placed on fiber-reinforced polymers, which are among the most widely used materials in the mitigation of the risk of corrosion following the formation of a corrosion barrier. Fiber-reinforced polymers are able to mitigate the risk of corrosion by limiting the rate at which water is absorbed and evaporated from the steel structures. Common Fibre-Reinforced Polymers (FRPs) include polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyisobutylene (PIB), polyamides, and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) [18]. In addition, the rate of dissolution, swelling, and precipitation is regulated in fiber-reinforced polymers--a phenomenon that is augmented by higher chemical resistance of the fiber polymers [18]. The rate of dissolution, swelling, and precipitation is regulated in fiber-reinforced polymers--a phenomenon that is augmented by higher chemical resistance of the fiber polymers [21]. The cumulative effect is greater stability of the concrete structure and reduced aging. Apart from limiting corrosion and aging of concrete structures, FRPs are preferred because they are non-toxic, have low life cycle costs, high usage, and resistance to fire and other natural hazards [24]. Thermal plastic and thermosetting FRPs also exhibit self-healing behaviors. The mechanical properties (tensile and compressive strength) of the fiber-reinforced polymers are influenced by the fabrication process [25]. [PERSON] and co-researchers have reported that the vacuum infusion fabrication method yielded FRPs with the best mechanical properties. Apart from the fabrication process, the qualities of the FRPs, mechanical and chemical properties are modified by additives such as antioxidants, light filters, and stabilizers, which mitigate oxidation and UV-damage. Even though FRPs undergo similar treatment, different materials have unique resistance to weak and strong acids and bases, as shown in Table 9. Based on the classification scheme, PVC is the ideal FRP for the protection of agricultural concrete structures. \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{l c c c c} \hline \hline
**Polymers** & \multicolumn{2}{c}{**Resistance to Acids**} & \multicolumn{2}{c}{**Resistance to Alkalis**} \\ \cline{2-5}  & **Weak** & **Strong** & **Weak** & **Strong** \\ \hline Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) & Yes & Yes & Yes & Yes \\ Polyethylene (PE) & Yes & Yes & Yes & Yes \\ Polypropylene (PP) & Yes & Yes & Yes & Yes \\ Polyisobutylene (PIB) & Yes & Yes & Yes & Yes \\ Polystyrene (PS) & Yes & Yes & Yes & Yes \\ Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) & Yes & Yes & Yes & Yes \\ Phenolic resins & Yes & No & Yes & No \\ Melamine formaldehyde & Yes & No & Yes & No \\ Urea formaldehyde & Yes & No & Yes & No \\ Polyester resins (UP) & Yes & Yes & Yes & No \\ Polyamides (PA) & Yes & No & Yes & No \\ Polyurethane (PUR) & Yes & No & Yes & Yes \\ Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) & Yes & Yes & Yes & Yes \\ Epoxy resins (EP) & Yes & Yes & Yes & Yes \\ Polycarbonate(PC) & Yes & Yes & Yes & Yes \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}  
*Yes’ and ‘No’ denote that the FRP is effective and ineffective in the mitigation of acid and basic attacks.  
\end{table} 
Table 9: Effectiveness of agricultural concrete structures [21]. The properties of the fiber-reinforced polymers (resistance to weak and strong acid attacks) discussed above are influenced by the structural properties of the natural fibers. Empirical evidence suggests that fibers with higher concentrations of \(\alpha\)-cellulose exhibit greater resistance to corrosion due to their chemical stability and suitable mechanical properties, as shown in Table 10[26]. In addition, cellulose-containing SSI fibers are easily available compared to pineapple.