Accelerated test device and method for critical chloride concentration initiating steel depassivation in cement-based materials

Abstract

Abstract In order to overcome the disadvantages of traditional test devices and methods, new accelerated test device and efficient test method for critical chloride concentration (Ccrit) initiating steel depassivation in cement-based materials were developed. Based on the theory of electromigration, a new accelerated test device for Ccrit was invented first by combining with the chloride electromigration system and electrochemical test system. Then the influences of applied voltage and continuous power-on time on electrochemical parameters including open-circuit potential, polarization resistance, and corrosion current density during the steel depassivation process were investigated. Moreover, an efficient test method for Ccrit was proposed based on the quantitative criterion in terms of corrosion current density. Analysis results show that Ccrit can be measured quickly and accurately based on the accelerated test device and method by selecting appropriate applied voltage (e.g., 3–6 V) and continuous power-on time (e.g., 48–72 h).