Good concrete is not affected by many kinds of chemicals. But in some chemical environments the useful life of even the best concrete will be shortened unless protective measures are taken.

It should be noted that concrete is rarely attacked by solid, dry chemicals. A chemical must be in solution and of sufficient concentration for significant attack to take place.

The most common forms of chemical attack are from sulfates, chlorides, physical salt weathering, acids and some other substances that come into contact with concrete during processing and storage.