Corrosion performance of reinforced mortar in the presence of polymeric nano-aggregates: Electrochemical behavior, surface analysis, and properties of the steel/cement paste interface

This study reports on the effect of admixed polyethylene oxide-b-polystyrene (PEO113-b-PS70)micelles on corrosion behavior of reinforced mortar. The electrochemical measurement shows that the corrosion performance of the reinforcing steel was not significantly improved. However, surface analysis and microstructural investigation at the steel/cement paste interface reveal that the admixed micelles lead to a steel surface layer with enhanced barrier properties in terms of morphology and composition. Therefore, the presence of micelles further minimized and halted the corrosion process, despite the very aggressive, chloride-containing environment of 5% NaCl. The reasons and mechanisms behind the hereby observed corrosion behavior of reinforced mortar in the presence of micelles are related to the influence of these nano-aggregates on microstructural properties. These further results in altered water/ion transport and chloride-binding mechanisms in the bulk mortar matrix and thus steel product layer modifications towards enhanced corrosion resistance.Structural EngineeringCivil Engineering and Geoscience