The polarization resistance of steel bars in concrete after exposure to several environments, as measured by the potential step method, was compared to the actual mass losses of the bars.

Each test sample consist of two steel bars embedded in concrete blocks, which were carbonated and exposed to one of several environments, outdoors, indoors, underground, in tunnel, or in water, for one year. Electrochemical measurements of these samples by using the potential step method were carried out at least once a week. The polarization resistance data thus obtained were changed into corrosion currents and mass losses. These calculated mass losses were compared with the actual mass losses of the rods. In some cases, such as indoors, outdoors or in tunnel, the corrosion rate of steel is determined by the amount of water in the concrete. In other cases, such as underground or in water, the oxygen supply determines the corrosion rate. This work demonstrate that in former condition, the potential step method can be used to measure the corrosion rate of steel easily and quickly.

Subject
Water, Materials, Corrosion currents, Corrosion rate, Mass loss, Derivatives, Aqueous environments, Steel, Tunnels, Polarization resistance, Corrosion potential, Concrete, Step potential
Keywords:
corrosion rate, carbonated concrete, potential step method, polarization resistance, concrete resistance
© 1995 Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of AMPP. Positions and opinions advanced in this work are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AMPP. Responsibility for the content of the work lies solely with the author(s).
1995
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
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