On the effect of simulated contamination of chlorides and sulfates on steel rebar corrosion: Electrochemical behavior and surface analysis

Paula Melo, Matías Echagüe, Carolina Guerra, Qingxu Jin*, Mamié Sancy, Alvaro Paul

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

To understand the effect of sulfate ions on the chloride-induced corrosion of reinforced concrete, this study focuses on the electrochemical behavior and surface analysis of standarded carbon steel that was exposed to simulated pore solutions, with different combinations of high and low chloride and sulfate concentrations. Linear scanning voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to monitor the corrosion reaction. Steel surface was characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Results indicate that the presence of sulfate affects the electrochemical behavior of steel corrosion at a low and high chloride concentration, where the capability of the corrosion protective layer was influenced by the increase of the sulfate and chloride content. Calcium carbonate deposits were observed at the surface of corroded samples, where higher precipitation of calcium carbonate crystals on carbon steel surface is associated with higher rates of localized corrosion.

Original languageEnglish
Article number129337
JournalConstruction and Building Materials
Volume359
DOIs
StatePublished - 12 Dec 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The research included in this article was funded by the National Agency of Research and Development (ANID), Chile, under Grant ANID-FONDECYT 11170432, and ANID-FONDEQUIP (Grants EQM170087 and EQM150101).

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 Elsevier Ltd

Keywords

  • Carbon steel
  • Concrete
  • Corrosion
  • Passive film

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