A comparison of methods to assess the resistance of reinforcing steel against chloride-induced corrosion in concrete: Particular consideration of 12% chromium steel

Abstract

The critical chloride content Ccrit is an indicator for the corrosion resistance of reinforcing steels in concrete. In this article, several experimental methods for determining the critical chloride content Ccrit of mild and an alloyed (12% Cr) steel in cementitious materials are compared. The methods used include accelerated polarization tests and tests using more natural (unpolarized) conditions in which chloride ingress occurs by diffusion and capillary uptake. The advantages and disadvantages of the methods are discussed, in particular, with the objective of reaching a compromise between applicability to practice and feasibility in laboratory testing.