Corrosion Evaluation of Epoxy-Coated Bars in Chloride Contaminated Concrete Using Linear Polarization Tests

Five slab specimens with predefined cracks are examined to evaluate the corrosion behavior of epoxy-coated bars in chloride contaminated concrete, using linear polarization method. The test specimens were subjected to alternating weekly cycles of ponding in a salt solution and drying for 48 weeks. Test results show that the current density of the specimen of normal steel bars becomes 0.715 ${\mu}A/cm^2$ indicating that the steel bars are in moderate or high corrosion condition. However, the corrosion rates of the specimens with damaged epoxy-coated bars are significantly below 0.1 ${\mu}A/cm^2$ and the bars appears to be in passive condition. The damaged epoxy-coated bars with a corrosion inhibitor of calcium nitrite showed a corrosion rate of 0.110 ${\mu}m/year$ or 56 percents of the corrosion rate of damaged epoxy-coated specimen without such an inhibitor, 0.195 ${\mu}m/year$. However, the corrosion rates of specimens containing the other two corrosion inhibitors, a combination of amines and esters or mixtures of organic alkenyl dicarboxyl acid salts are quite equivalent to the control specimen. The research technique of linear polarization resistance method has proven itself to be useful in measuring corrosion rates of reinforcement in concrete.