In most countries an extensive use of de-icing agents in winter are not out of the ordinary. In Germany, up to 100,000 tons of de-icing salt are used daily in winter, which corresponds to approximately 0.5 tons of de-icing salt per kilometer in the event of a single ice rain event. With a tendency of increasing weather extremes, these numbers are likely to climb. The chlorides found in splash water and spray mist of these de-icing agents are the enemy of any steel reinforcement. Depending on their concentration, they lead to undesired corrosion on the reinforcing steel and as a result to costly repairs.
A single passenger car can drag along up to 7 liters of chloride-containing snow slush. Assuming the snow slush contains an average of 2M.-% chloride, this results in about 42 grams of chloride with every passenger car entering a car park. When cars are parked in underground garages, the slush thaws and the meltwater with a high chloride concentration can reach the neuralgic components. To protect the components from corrosion, either coatings or stainless reinforcing steel can be used.