Effect of controlled cooling process on the atmospheric corrosion behaviour of HRB400E hot rolled rebar

Abstract

Abstract To address the problem of rusting of reinforcing bars that occurs in industry, the aim is to control the denseness of the iron oxide skin by changing the controlled cooling process without increasing the production cost, thereby improving the corrosion resistance of the bars. In this paper, the effect of different cooling control processes on the industrial atmospheric corrosion behaviour of HRB400E hot-rolled rebar was investigated using alternating wet and dry corrosion tests. The morphology and structure of iron oxide on the surface and cross-section of the rebar were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and field emission electron probe microanalysis (EPMA); the corrosion products and electrochemical behaviour of the specimens after alternating wet and dry tests were compared using x-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and electrochemical methods. The results showed that the hot-rolled rebar without controlled cooling had a dense surface, a thicker iron oxide skin and a tighter bond between the iron oxide skin and the substrate; the corrosion rate of the hot-rolled rebar without controlled cooling was less than that of the rebar with controlled cooling in the alternating wet and dry corrosion tests; the corrosion products mainly consisted of α-FeOOH, γ-FeOOH and Fe3O4; the self-corrosion potential and rust layer resistance of the hot rolled rebar without controlled cooling after rolling are higher than those of the controlled cooling bars, showing good corrosion resistance.