Corrosion Behavior of Steel in Concrete Made with Slag-Blended Cement

Concretes formulated with slag as a partial replacement for cement were used to evaluate the corrosion behavior of steel embedded in concrete, resistivity, and the compressive strength of the concrete. Corrosion rates and pitting corrosion of steel in concrete with up to 30% slag and exposed to sodium chloride (NaCl) solutions decreased. Slag-blended cement concrete increased concrete resistivity. A water-to-cement ratio < 0.55 and submersion in water for a period of 18 days gave the best chloride (Cl^–) diffusion resistance from the external salt solutions. Compressive strength of the concrete decreased with addition of slag in the early ages of the concrete. After 5 months of age, compressive strength of the concrete increased with addition of slag. This trend continued with up to 30% slag addition.