Steel corrosion resistance in model solutions and reinforced mortar containing wastes

This work reports on the corrosion resistance of steel in alkaline model solutions and in cement-based materials (mortar). The model solutions and the mortar specimens were Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) based. Further, hereby discussed is the implementation of an eco-friendly approach of waste utilization for corrosion control and/or achieving superior properties and performance by modifying the model solutions and the mortar mixtures with waste materials i.e. “Red mud” (RM) and Blast Furnace Slag (BFS). The objective was to define the steel electrochemical behaviour and the properties (morphology and composition) of the product layer that forms on the steel surface within treatment in chloride-free and chloride-containing model solutions. The motivation for this research is related to several aspects, mainly to exploring the possibility for achieving superior corrosion performance of steel in cement-based materials by using (combination of) wastes. The study reveals that RM has a distinctive positive effect on the corrosion performance of steel, especially in chloride containing environment. The presence of RM favours steel passivation and results in an increased corrosion resistance. The positive effect of RM is especially pronounced for steel in BFS solutions and BFS mortar specimens.Structural EngineeringCivil Engineering and Geoscience