Study of Chloride Corrosion Organic Inhibitors in Alkaline Pore Solution

This paper compares the inhibition properties of aspartic and lactic acid salts with nitrite ions and their effect on critical chloride concentration. The tests were carried employing carbon steel specimens in saturated lime solution with varying pH in the range between13 to 13.6. The critical chloride concentration was estimated through multiple specimen potentiostatic tests at potentials in the usual range for passive rebar in the alkaline concrete of atmospheric structures. During tests, chloride salt was added every 48 h until all the specimens showed localized attacks. The cumulative distribution curves, i.e. the number of corroded specimens as a function of the chlorides concentration was obtained. Furthermore, IR spectra were recorded for the evaluation of the presence of the organic inhibitors on the passivity film. The results confirmed the inhibitory effect of 0.1M aspartate comparable with nitrite ions, at a similar concentration. Addition of calcium lactate did not result in an increase in the critical chloride concentration. However, the formation of a massive scale containing the substance that could reduce the corrosion propagation was observed.