The Corrosion Resistance of Concrete-Filled Steel Tubes with the Assembly Unit of Na2MoO4 and Benzotriazole

Abstract

Steel pipes are commonly used to strengthen the concrete’s load-bearing capacity. However, they are prone to corrosion in salt erosion environments. In this study, the influence of Na2MoO4 and benzotriazole on concrete-filled steel tubes’ corrosion performance is investigated. The steel pipes’ mass loss rates (MRs), ultrasonic velocity, electrical resistance, and the AC impedance spectrum and Tafel curves of concrete-filled steel tubes were used to characterize the degree of corrosion in the steel pipes. Scanning electron microscopy–energy-dispersive spectrometry and X-ray diffraction were used for studying the composition of steel pipe rust. The research results revealed that the NaCl freeze–thaw cycles (F-C) and NaCl dry–wet alternation (D-A) actions had a reducing effect on the mass and ultrasonic velocity of the concrete-filled steel tubes. After 300 NaCl F-C and 30 NaCl D-A, the MRs were 0%~0.00470% and 0%~0.00666%. The corresponding ultrasonic velocities were 0%~21.1% and 0%~23.6%. When a rust inhibitor was added, the results were the opposite. The MRs decreased by 0%~80.3% and 0%~81.6% with the added Na2MoO4 and benzotriazole. Meanwhile, the corresponding ultrasonic velocities were 0%~8.1% and 0%~8.3%. The steel tubes were corroded after 300 NaCl F-C and 30 NaCl D-A. The addition of rust inhibitors improved the corrosion resistance of the concrete-filled steel tubes by increasing the electrical resistance before NaCl erosion. The corrosion area rate decreased by using the rust inhibitors. The corrosion resistance effect of benzotriazole was higher than that of Na2MoO4. The concrete-filled steel tube with an assembly unit comprising 5 kg/m3 of Na2MoO4 and 15 kg/m3 of benzotriazole had the best corrosion resistance under the erosion induced by NaCl F-C and D-A. Rust inhibitors reduced the content of iron-containing crystals and iron elements. The specimens with 5 kg/m3 Na2MoO4 and 15 kg/m3 benzotriazole had the lowest concentration of iron-containing crystals and iron elements.