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Electrochemical behaviour of concrete reinforcing steel under cathodic polarization: comparison of some test procedures

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Abstract

The objective of this experimental investigation was to compare several techniques for studying the electrochemical behaviour of steel which was in mortars or in Ca(OH)2 solution, containing chloride, and under cathodic polarization. In addition to usual electrochemical techniques (potentio-dynamic curves, etc.), two other procedures were used. They make it possible to easily determine electrochemical parameters which describe the steel behaviour. The first technique deals with determining the apparent polarization resistance of steel at constant applied potential. The second procedure uses a swift current decrease when polarizing steel with a constant current. It makes it possible to determine a transfer resistance and a ‘double-layer capacitance’. The results obtained show fair agreement between the test procedures.

Resume

Cette recherche expérimentale avait pour objet de comparer plusieurs techniques pour étudier le comportement électrochimique de l'acier qui est placé soit dans des mortiers, soit dans une solution de Ca(OH)2 contenant des chlorures et qui est sous polarisation cathodique.

En plus des techniques électrochimiques classiques (courbes potentiocinétiques, etc.), deux autres procédures ont été employées. Elles permettent de déterminer facilement des paramètres électrochimiques qui décrivent le comportement de l'acier.

La première méthode consiste à déterminer l'apparente résistance de polarization de l'acier sous potentiel appliqué constant. La seconde procédure utilise une décroissance rapide du courant alors que l'acier est polarisé sous courant constant. Elle permet de déterminer une résistance de transfert et une ‘capacité de double-couche’.

Les résultats obtenus par les diverses méthodes sont en bon accord.

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Author notes

  1. I. Rodriguez-Maribona (Research Fellow)

    Present address: Instituto Eduardo Torroja, CSIC, Madrid

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire Central des Ponts et Chaussées, 58, bd Lefebvre, 75732, Paris Cedex 15, France

    I. Rodriguez-Maribona (Research Fellow), J. J. Carpio & A. Raharinaivo

Authors
  1. I. Rodriguez-Maribona
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  2. J. J. Carpio
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  3. A. Raharinaivo
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Rodriguez-Maribona, I., Carpio, J.J. & Raharinaivo, A. Electrochemical behaviour of concrete reinforcing steel under cathodic polarization: comparison of some test procedures. Materials and Structures 24, 100–105 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02472470

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02472470

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