Interfacial characterization for UNS S32760, UNS S30815, UNS N08367 and UNS 2205 in solutions simulating the

reinforced concrete in presence of chloride ions

Yenny Paola Cubides Gonzalez National Center for Education and Research in Corrosion and Materials Performance. Chemical & Biomolecular Enginerring Department The University of Akron

Corrosion-induced deterioration in reinforced concrete structures is a major problem that leads to high repair costs. The study of the mechanism of corrosion and prevention alternatives in these systems has generated great interest among researchers worldwide. One of the most important causes of damage in reinforced concrete structures is associated with the presence of chlorides ions, which are normally in seawater and deicing salts. In the case of deicing salts, chloride concentration depends on amount of salt spread on the road and the precipitation of the study place. Thus, among the alternatives to reduce corrosion in reinforced concrete structures is the use of corrosion resistant alloys (CRA), which can be less sensitive to attack by chloride ions and can expand the durability during service. UNS S32760, UNS S30815, UNS N08367 and UNS 2205 are stainless steel alloys used in aggressive environments, especially in applications including seawater, preventing crevice and pitting corrosion. In order to analyze the corrosion behavior in these alloys, electrochemical measurements in field are required. Therefore, a titanium rod is proposed as counter electrode, since it is chemically and biologically stable in environments that content chloride ions. The aim of this work is to characterize the interfacial effect of chloride ions at the metal/electrolyte interface behavior for different CRAs in solutions that simulate reinforced concrete. Electrochemical measurements were performed by using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic polarization. UNS S32760, UNS S30815, UNS N08367 and UNS 2205 are the working electrodes; they are immersed in 2 g/L calcium hydroxide solutions at room temperature and pH equal to 12.5. Four different sodium chloride concentrations are considered: 0, 0,05 wt%, 0,7 wt% and 3,5 wt%. The experimental set up includes the comparison between two different counter electrodes in the electrochemical system described above. Thus, two systems are characterized and analyzed, in the first, the CRA is the working electrode and graphite as the counter electrode, and the second, the alloy is the working electrode in an electrochemical cell with a titanium rod as the counter electrode. Finally, the corrosion products in the surface of the alloys highly resistant to corrosion are analyzed by means of Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Keywords: Corrosion Resistant Alloys (CRA), Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), Cyclic Polarization.