Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 17, 2025

Experimental Protocol to Determine the Chloride Threshold Value for Corrosion in Samples Taken from Reinforced Concrete Structures
Published on: August 31, 2017
Electrochemical Investigations of Steels in Seawater Sea Sand Concrete Environments
Xiang Yu1, Saad Al-Saadi2, Xiao-Ling Zhao3
1Department of Chemical Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.
Abstract:
Seawater and sea sand concrete (SWSSC) is an environmentally friendly alternative to ordinary Portland cement concrete for civil construction. However, the detrimental effect of high chloride content of SWSSC on the corrosion resistance of steel reinforcement is a concern. This study undertook the electrochemical corrosion behaviour and surface characterizations of a mild steel and two stainless steels (AISI type 304 and 316) in various simulated concrete environments, including the alkaline + chloride environment (i.e., SWSSC). Open circuit potential (OCP), potentiodynamic polarization (PDP), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were employed. Though chloride is detrimental to the corrosion resistance of mild steels, a simultaneous presence of high alkalinity in SWSSC negate the detrimental effect of chloride. In the case of stainless steels, a high level of alkalinity is found to be detrimental, whereas chloride seems to have less detrimental effect on their corrosion resistance.
Related Concept Videos
Corrosion of Reinforcement
However, over time and under certain conditions like carbonation, chloride ingress, and cracking this protective state can be compromised. Steel has areas with...
Effect of Sea Water on Concrete
Concrete in areas between tide marks,...
Electrogravimetric Analysis: Overview
To test the completeness of the...
Electrodeposition
Electrodeposition can...
Testing Water Quality
Interfacial Electrochemical Methods: Overview

