Application of electrochemical methods for studying steel corrosion in alkali‐activated materials


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Date

2023-07

Publication Type

Review Article

ETH Bibliography

yes

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Abstract

Alkali-activated materials (AAMs) are binders that can complement and partially substitute the current use of conventional cement. However, the present knowledge about how AAMs protect steel reinforcement in concrete elements is incomplete, and uncertainties exist regarding the application of electrochemical methods to investigate this issue. The present review by EFC WP11-Task Force ‘Corrosion of steel in alkali-activated materials’ demonstrates that important differences exist between AAMs and Portland cement, and between different classes of AAMs, which are mainly caused by differing pore solution compositions, and which affect the outcomes of electrochemical measurements. The high sulfide concentrations in blast furnace slag-based AAMs lead to distinct anodic polarisation curves, unusually low open circuit potentials, and low polarisation resistances, which might be incorrectly interpreted as indicating active corrosion of steel reinforcement. No systematic study of the influence of the steel–concrete interface on the susceptibility of steel to corrosion in AAMs is available. Less common electrochemical methods present an opportunity for future progress in the field.

Publication status

published

Editor

Book title

Volume

74 (7)

Pages / Article No.

988 - 1008

Publisher

Wiley-VCH

Event

Edition / version

Methods

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Geographic location

Date collected

Date created

Subject

alkali‐activated materials; anodic/cathodic polarisation; concrete; linear polarisation resistance; open circuit potential; reinforcement corrosion; resistivity

Organisational unit

09593 - Angst, Ueli / Angst, Ueli check_circle

Notes

Funding

194812 - Enhanced Durability Predictions of Reinforced Concrete Exposed to Corrosive Environments (follow-up proposal) (SNF)

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