An electrochemical and microstructural characterization of steel-mortar admixed with corrosion inhibitors

The present research brings new insights on the role of admixed corrosion inhibitors in the processes of cement hydration and rebar corrosion. The admixing of NaCl and the corrosion inhibitors in fresh mortar was found to alter the morphology and microstructure of the hardened mortar at the steel-mortar interfacial region. The admixing of the inhibitors increased the risk of carbonation of cement hydrates at the steel-mortar interfacial region, but partially displaced chloride ions. Chloride and the admixed inhibitors facilitated the formation of different cement hydrates and affected chloride binding at the steel-mortar interfacial region. The admixing of all three inhibitors was found to increase the polarization resistance of steel, indicating reduced corrosion rate of the steel over 48-day exposures to salt ponding.