Deterioration Mechanisms and Advanced Inspection Technologies of Aluminum Windows

Abstract

Aluminum windows are crucial components of building envelopes since they connect the indoor space to the external environment. Various external causes degrade or harm the functioning of aluminum windows. In this regard, inspecting the performance of aluminum windows is a necessary task to keep buildings healthy. This review illustrates the deterioration mechanisms of aluminum windows under various environmental conditions with an intention to provide comprehensive information for developing damage protection and inspection technologies. The illustrations reveal that moisture and chloride ions have the most detrimental effect on deteriorating aluminum windows in the long run, while mechanical loads can damage aluminum windows in a sudden manner. In addition, multiple advanced inspection techniques potential to benefit assessing aluminum window health state are discussed in order to help tackle the efficiency problem of traditional visual inspection. The comparison among those techniques demonstrates that infrared thermography can help acquire a preliminary defect profile of inspected windows, whereas ultrasonic phased arrays technology demonstrates a high level of competency in analyzing comprehensive defect information. This review also discusses the challenges in the scarcity of nanoscale corrosion information for insightful understandings of aluminum window corrosion and reliable window inspection tools for lifespan prediction. In this regard, molecular dynamics simulation and artificial intelligence technology are recommended as promising tools for better revealing the deterioration mechanisms and advancing inspection techniques, respectively, for future directions. It is envisioned that this paper will help upgrade the aluminum window inspection scheme and contribute to driving the construction of intelligent and safe cities.

Fracture Behaviour of Aluminium Alloys under Coastal Environmental Conditions: A Review

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Effect of Damage on the Corrosion Performance of Thermal Spray Aluminium (TSA) Coating in Synthetic Seawater

“…However, it must be noted that the concentration of electronic defects have a bearing on the nature of Al 2 O 3 produced [41,42]. It might also influence the way in which aluminium deteriorates [43]. Nonetheless, as the 'damages' were substantial compared to the defects that might have been generated during the sample production phase, it is fair to assume that the impact of electronic defects would be significantly less and the nature of the response would be dominated by mechanical 'damages' [43].…”

Developments and Applications of Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Cement-Based Composites as Functional Building Materials

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