The influence of chloride contents in sands on reinforcement corrosion

Abstract

The effect of chlorides in cylindrical reinforced mortars based on ordinary Portland cement and different types of sand has been investigated with the corrosion behavior of the steel rebar. Corrosion initiation of steel was evaluated through nondestructive electrochemical measurements (half cell potential) versus time of different exposure: with accelerated impressed current technique and natural exposure in the laboratory. The transition from passive to active corrosion was studied considering a potential drop. The results show that despite some types of sand have admissible levels of chlorides according to the standards, corrosion appeared after a certain time.