Influences of chlorides, pH and surface films on the corrosion of reinforcing steel in alkaline solutions

The objective of this study was to determine the influences of chlorides, pH and surface films on the corrosion of reinforcing steel in alkaline solutions. Anodic and linear polarization experiments were conducted on 1018 steel specimens exposed to these environments. The results indicate that there is a threshold amount of [Cl-] beyond which passivity is compromised. The i-passive in the electrolyte of pH 12.24 was approximately 0.01 of that in the electrolyte of pH 10.13. At least a one day period was necessary for the effect of the excess crystals of Ca(OH)2 to be felt. Corrosion rates of specimen with a Ca(OH)2 surface film were lower than without this film. [Cl-] /[OH-] in the range 2.5 to 3.5 appeared to be the threshold for breakdown of passivity.