Application of Inhibitors to Reduce the Hydrogen Uptake of Steel During Electrochemical Chloride Extraction

ABSTRACTThe formation of a protective surface film in an alkaline environment protects steel in reinforced concrete from corrosion. In the presence of chloride, the protective layer breaks down as a result of the formation of a water-soluble iron salt. The reaction of iron salt with oxygen in water...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Corrosion (Houston, Tex.) Tex.), 2002-03, Vol.58 (3), p.257-266
Main Authors: Siegwart, M., McFarland, B.J., Lyness, J.F., Abu-Tair, A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Absorption
Applied sciences
Chloride
Chlorides
Concrete
Concrete structures
Corrosion
Corrosion inhibitors
Corrosion prevention
Electrochemistry
Embrittlement
Exact sciences and technology
High strength steels
Hydrogen
Hydrogen embrittlement
Hydrogen production
Inhibitors
Metals. Metallurgy
Prestressed concrete
Reinforcing steels
Steel
Uptake
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Summary:ABSTRACTThe formation of a protective surface film in an alkaline environment protects steel in reinforced concrete from corrosion. In the presence of chloride, the protective layer breaks down as a result of the formation of a water-soluble iron salt. The reaction of iron salt with oxygen in water releases the chloride, which can dissolve more iron in the passive film. This reaction occurs even in noncarbonated concrete, with a pH value >12.5, if chloride concentrations at the reinforcement exceed corrosion thresholds. The application of electrochemical chloride extraction (ECE) is accepted as a rehabilitation method for ordinary reinforced concrete as ordinary reinforcement does not suffer from brittle fracture. To evaluate the susceptibility of high-strength steels (HSS) to brittle fracture, various studies have been conducted, but the results appear conflicting. The application of ECE to structures with HSS has been questioned because some studies have shown the susceptibility of steels to hydrogen embrittlement (HE). However, a significant proportion of bridges contain prestressed steel and are chloride contaminated. The application of ECE to these structures could extend their design life while avoiding the major costs associated with reconstruction. Results presented in this paper show that some inhibitors have the ability to suppress hydrogen uptake into HSS, but it remains uncertain whether they can be used in structures to avoid the embrittlement of HSS.
ISSN:0010-9312
1938-159X
DOI:10.5006/1.3279877