Date of Award

2003

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Ocean Engineering

Department

Ocean Engineering

First Advisor

Richard Brown

Abstract

Corrosion of reinforcing steel in concrete has become a major factor in reducing the service life of vital transportation and building systems due to the exposure of chloride ions. The needs of this well known phenomenon for cost effective system for protection against corrosion has become increasingly clear. Thus, corrosion behavior of stainless 316L clad reinforcing steel was investigated in this study. The object of the present investigation was to develop quantitative data that would accurately access the pitting and crevice corrosion susceptibility of stainless steel 316L rebar in concrete environments.

Electrochemical corrosion potential measurement testing was conducted to all specimens. Stainless steel 316L clad rebar and plates were exposed in a simulated concrete environment of saturated calcium hydroxide solution and simulated pore solution with 0.25N and 0.5N of sodium chloride concentrations. A five gm of sand was added to the saturated calcium hydroxide and the simulated pore solution to create the interface necessary for the crevice corrosion. The potential of the system compared to a saturated electrode calomel reference was monitored to evaluate corrosion performance as a function of the exposure time. The effect of calcium nitrite (DCI) inhibitor on crevice corrosion of stainless steel clad rebar was investigated. Rebar with cut ends were suspended in simulated pore solution with 0.25 and 0.5N of sodium chloride having additions of 0.25N and 0.5N DCI. The time to corrosion was measured by potential change. Results indicated that specimens with calcium nitrite corrosion inhibitor exhibited the best corrosion protection results in corrosive conditions with essential minimum concentration of calcium nitrite for protecting the rebar. End caps can protect end cut corrosion of stainless steel rebar.

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