Composition of Corroded Reinforcing Steel Surface in Solutions Simulating the Electrolytic Environments in the Micropores of Concrete in the Propagation Period

In the present work, the composition of a corroded reinforcing steel surface is studied at different pH values (related to different degrees of development in the corroding zones of the corrosion process) in solutions simulating chloride-contaminated environments. The media considered consist of saturated calcium hydroxide solutions, progressively neutralized with FeCl₂ or by adding 0.5 M NaCl to the solution. The results found in present work confirm higher levels of acidity in the solutions with higher concentrations of Fe²⁺.In the present work, emphasis is given to the composition of the oxides in solutions that simulate the conditions that exist inside of a localized corrosion pit as a consequence of the reaction of chloride on reinforcing steel. The oxides were studied using Raman and XPS techniques; the results obtained with both techniques are mutually coherent. Thus, in the passive state, the oxides found are those reported previously by other authors, while in the corroding state, the present results are more comprehensive because the conditions tested studied a variety of pore solution composition with several pH values; we tried to reproduce these values inside the pits in conditions of heavy corrosion (very acidic). The oxides found are those typically produced during iron dissolution and seem not the best route to study the corrosion process of steel in concrete; the electrochemical tests better characterize the corrosion stage.

Influence of Chloride Ions on Electrochemical Corrosion Behavior of Dual-Phase Steel over Conventional Rebar in Pore Solution

Reinforced steel bars (rebar) are extensively used in construction, and the main challenge is in minimizing corrosion due to oxide or passive layer breakdown. In contrast, dual-phase (DP) steel has good corrosion resistance. This study investigated the effect of Cl− ions on the electrochemical corrosion behavior of DP rebar and conventional rebar. Corrosion behavior studies and electrochemical measurements were conducted on DP rebar and conventional rebar in simulated concrete pore solution with different concentrations of Cl− ions. Microstructure analysis, surface morphology analysis, and corroded surface characterization were performed using optical microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy, respectively. Potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements revealed that DP rebar has good passivity, leading to better corrosion resistance and greater strength compared to ordinary rebar. In addition, DP rebar showed better passivity behavior compared to conventional rebar in alkaline solution. Therefore, the presence of a dual phase (ferrite and martensite) in reinforced concrete structured steel induces good corrosion resistance.

Self-immunity microcapsules for corrosion protection of steel bar in reinforced concrete

A novel microcapsule-based self-immunity system for reinforced concrete is proposed. Its feasibility for hindering the corrosion of steel rebar by means of lifting the threshold value of [Cl⁻]/[OH⁻] is discussed. Precisely controlled release behavior enables corrosion protection in the case of depassivation. The release process is characterized over a designated range of pH values, and its release characteristics of the microcapsules, triggered by decreasing pH value, are captured by observing that the core crystals are released when exposed to a signal (stimulus). The aim of corrosion protection of steel bar is achieved through the constantly-stabilized passive film, and its stability is promoted using continuous calcium hydroxide released from the microcapsule, restoring alkaline conditions. The test results exhibited that the release process of the microcapsules is a function of time. Moreover, the release rate of core materials could interact with environmental pH value, in which the release rate is found to increase remarkably with decreasing pH value, but is inhibited by high pH levels.