Evaluation of the Corrosion Behavior of Reinforced Concrete with an Inhibitor by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy

Abstract

In this study, the effect of NaCl and LiNO2 content on the deterioration of embedded rebars in concrete due to corrosion was examined by measuring the natural potential and impedance. Wet–dry cycles were performed to accelerate the corrosion of embedded rebars in reinforced concrete, following which the potential and impedance corresponding to the cycles were measured. For the reinforced concrete containing only NaCl, the passive film of the embedded rebar surfaces deteriorated after two weeks of accelerated corrosion, and its polarization resistance decreased. When 0.6 M LiNO2 per NaCl was added, the reinforced concrete deteriorated at the same rate as the normal embedded rebars, and the polarization resistance was higher than the initial values. When 1.2 M LiNO2 per NaCl was added, the passive film of the embedded rebars remained intact even after 10 weeks of accelerated corrosion, protecting the rebars from deterioration.