Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Influence of mill scale and rust layer on the corrosion resistance of low-alloy steel in simulated concrete pore solution

  • Published:
International Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy, and Materials Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic potentiodynamic polarization measurements, and scanning electron microscopy in conjunction with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were used to investigate the influence of mill scale and rust layer on the passivation capability and chloride-induced corrosion behaviors of conventional low-carbon (LC) steel and low-alloy (LA) steel in simulated concrete pore solution. The results show that mill scale exerts different influences on the corrosion resistance of both steels at various electrochemical stages. We propose that the high long-term corrosion resistance of LA steel is mainly achieved through the synergistic effect of a gradually formed compact, adherent and well-distributed Cr-enriched inner rust layer and the physical barrier protection effect of mill scale.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. R. Vera, M. Villarroel, A.M. Carvajal, E. Vera, and C. Ortiz, Corrosion products of reinforcement in concrete in marine and industrial environments, Mater. Chem. Phys., 114(2009), No. 1, p. 467.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. S.A. Alghamdi and S. Ahmad, Service life prediction of RC structures based on correlation between electrochemical and gravimetric reinforcement corrosion rates, Cem. Concr. Compos., 47(2014), p. 64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. F. Presuel-Moreno, J.R. Scully, and S.R. Sharp, Literature review of commercially available alloys that have potential as low-cost, corrosion-resistant concrete reinforcement, Corrosion, 66(2010), No. 8, p. 086001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. J.Y. Zhong, M. Sun, D.B. Liu, X.G. Li, and T.Q. Liu, Effects of chromium on the corrosion and electrochemical behaviors of ultra high strength steels, Int. J. Miner. Metall. Mater., 17(2010), No. 3, p. 282.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Q.H. Zhao, W. Liu, J.W. Yang, Y.C. Zhu, B.L. Zhang, and M.X. Lu, Corrosion behavior of low alloy steels in a wet–dry acid humid environment, Int. J. Miner. Metall. Mater., 23(2016), No. 9, p. 1076.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. S.T. Wang, S.W. Yang, K.W. Gao, and X.L. He, Corrosion behavior and corrosion products of a low-alloy weathering steel in Qingdao and Wanning, Int. J. Miner. Metall. Mater., 16(2009), No. 1, p. 58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. S.H. Tae and T. Ujiro, Corrosion resistance of Cr-bearing rebar in simulated concrete pore solutions, ISIJ Int., 47(2007), No. 9, p. 1324

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. J.K. Singh and D.D.N. Singh, The nature of rusts and corrosion characteristics of low alloy and plain carbon steels in three kinds of concrete pore solution with salinity and different pH, Corros. Sci., 56(2012), p. 129.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. J.J. Shi, W. Sun, J.Y. Jiang, and Y.M. Zhang, Influence of chloride concentration and pre-passivation on the pitting corrosion resistance of low-alloy reinforcing steel in simulated concrete pore solution, Constr. Build. Mater., 111(2016), No. 5, p. 805.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. P. Ghods, O.B. Isgor, G.A. McRae, and G.P. Gu, Electrochemical investigation of chloride-induced depassivation of black steel rebar under simulated service conditions, Corros. Sci., 52(2010), No. 5, p. 1649.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. L.T. Mammoliti, L.C. Brown, C.M. Hansson, and B.B. Hope, The influence of surface finish of reinforcing steel and pH of the test solution on the chloride threshold concentration for corrosion initiation in synthetic pore solutions, Cem. Concr. Res., 26(1996), No. 4, p. 545.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. M. Kouřil, P. Novák, and M. Bojko, Threshold chloride concentration for stainless steels activation in concrete pore solutions, Cem. Concr. Res., 40(2010), No. 3, p. 431.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. E. Mahallati and M. Saremi, An assessment on the mill scale effects on the electrochemical characteristics of steel bars in concrete under DC-polarization, Cem. Concr. Res., 36(2006), No. 7, p. 1324.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. L. Li and A.A. Sagüés, Chloride corrosion threshold of reinforcing steel in alkaline solutions: open-circuit immersion tests, Corrosion, 57(2001), No. 1, p. 19.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. T.U. Mohammed and H. Hamada, Corrosion of steel bars in concrete with various steel surface conditions, ACI Mater. J., 103(2006), No. 4, p. 233.

    Google Scholar 

  16. P. Ghods, O.B. Isgor, G.A. McRae, J. Li, and G.P. Gu, Microscopic investigation of mill scale and its proposed effect on the variability of chloride-induced depassivation of carbon steel rebar, Corros. Sci., 53(2011), No. 3, p. 946.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. R.G. Pillai and D. Trejo, Surface condition effects on critical chloride threshold of steel reinforcement, ACI Mater. J., 102(2005), No. 2, p. 103.

    Google Scholar 

  18. A. Poursaee and C. Hansson, Reinforcing steel passivation in mortar and pore solution, Cem. Concr. Res., 37(2007), No. 7, p. 1127.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. M. Manera, Ø. Vennesland, and L. Bertolini, Chloride threshold for rebar corrosion in concrete with addition of silica fume, Corros. Sci., 50(2008), No. 2, p. 554.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. A. Demoulin, C. Trigance, D. Neff, E. Foy, P. Dillmann, and V. L’Hostis, The evolution of the corrosion of iron in hydraulic binders analysed from 46- and 260-year-old buildings, Corros. Sci., 52(2010), No. 10, p. 3168.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. S.J. Jaffer and C.M. Hansson, Chloride-induced corrosion products of steel in cracked-concrete subjected to different loading conditions, Cem. Concr. Res., 39(2009), No. 2, p. 116.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Y.X. Zhao, Y.Y. Wu, and W.L. Jin, Distribution of millscale on corroded steel bars and penetration of steel corrosion products in concrete, Corros. Sci., 66(2013), p. 160.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. M.A. Islam, B.P. Bergsma, and C.M. Hansson, Chloride-induced corrosion behavior of stainless steel and carbon steel reinforcing bars in sound and cracked concrete, Corrosion, 69(2013), No. 3, p. 303.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. F. Zhang, J.S. Pan, and C.J. Lin, Localized corrosion behaviour of reinforcement steel in simulated concrete pore solution, Corros. Sci., 51(2009), No. 9, p. 2130.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. L. Li and A.A. Sagüés, Chloride corrosion threshold of reinforcing steel in alkaline solutions: effect of specimen size, Corrosion, 60(2004), No. 2, p. 195.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. R.D. Moser, P.M. Singh, L.F. Kahn, and K.E. Kurtis, Chloride-induced corrosion resistance of high-strength stainless steels in simulated alkaline and carbonated concrete pore solutions, Corros. Sci., 57(2012), No. 4, p. 241.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. L. Freire, M.J. Carmezim, M.G.S. Ferreira, and M.F. Montemor, The electrochemical behaviour of stainless steel AISI 304 in alkaline solutions with different pH in the presence of chlorides, Electrochim. Acta, 56(2011), No. 14, p. 5280.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. H.E. Jamil, A. Shriri, R. Boulif, M.F. Montemor, and M.G.S. Ferreira, Corrosion behaviour of reinforcing steel exposed to an amino alcohol based corrosion inhibitor, Cem. Concr. Compos., 27(2005), No. 6, p. 671.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. D.A. Koleva, J.H.W. De Wit, K. Van Breugel, Z.F. Lodhi, and E. Van Westing, Investigation of corrosion and cathodic protection in reinforced concrete: I. Application of electrochemical techniques, J. Electrochem. Soc., 154(2007), No. 4, p. P52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. M. Saremi and E. Mahallati, A study on chloride-induced depassivation of mild steel in simulated concrete pore solution, Cem. Concr. Res., 32(2002), No. 12, p. 1915.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Q.C. Zhang, J.S. Wu, J.J. Wang, W.L. Zheng, J.G. Chen, and A.B. Li, Corrosion behavior of weathering steel in marine atmosphere, Mater. Chem. Phys., 77(2003), No. 2, p. 603.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. S.T. Wang, S.W. Yang, K.W. Gao, X.A. Shen, and X.L. He, Corrosion behavior and variation of apparent mechanical property of a novel low carbon bainitic steel in environment containing chloride ions, Acta Metall. Sin., 44(2008), No. 9, p. 1116.

    Google Scholar 

  33. M.C. García-Alonso, J.A. González, J. Miranda, M.L. Escudero, M.J. Correia, M. Salta, and A. Bennani, Corrosion behaviour of innovative stainless steels in mortar, Cem. Concr. Res., 37(2007), No. 11, p. 1562.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Y. Qian, C. Ma, D. Niu, J. Xu, and M. Li, Influence of alloyed chromium on the atmospheric corrosion resistance of weathering steels, Corros. Sci., 74(2013), No. 9, p. 424.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors greatly acknowledge the support by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos.51208098 and 51678144), the National Basic Research Program of China (No. 2015CB655100), the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (No. BK20161420) and Industry−University Research Cooperative Innovation Fund of Jiangsu Province (No. BY2013091).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Construction Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, China

    Jin-jie Shi & Jing Ming

Authors
  1. Jin-jie Shi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jing Ming
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jin-jie Shi.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Shi, Jj., Ming, J. Influence of mill scale and rust layer on the corrosion resistance of low-alloy steel in simulated concrete pore solution. Int J Miner Metall Mater 24, 64–74 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-017-1379-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-017-1379-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation