Corrosion behaviour of dual‐phase and galvanized steels in concrete

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present results of an evaluation of dual‐phase and galvanized steel reinforcements in corrosive environments.Design/methodology/approachLow carbon steels were intercritically annealed at 740°C followed by water quenching to obtain dual‐phase structures with 37 per cent volume fraction of martensite dispersed in ferrite matrix. Dual‐phase and galvanized steel rebars were embedded in concrete cubes and immersed in 5 per cent NaCl solution for up to 100 days. Corrosion rate, tensile and macro as well as microhardness tests were performed. The dual‐phase and galvanized zinc layers were observed under scanning electron microscopy (SEM).FindingsFrom all of the tests carried out it was found that dual‐phase steels exhibited better corrosion resistant properties and superior strength compared to galvanized steels.Originality/valueThe results reported show that dual‐phase steel can be a good candidate for reinforcement in concrete especially in aggressive and corrosive environments.