Synergistic protection of borate and silicate salts composite for controlling the chloride-induced pitting and uniform corrosion of steel reinforcement bars embedded in mortars

In this study, the efficacy of the combined effect of borate and silicate alkali metal salts added to mortars for controlling the chloride-induced uniform and localized corrosion of embedded steel rebars is examined. The individually added salts in mortars are found to have insignificant effects in terms of reducing the uniform corrosion rate and localized damage. However, their combination (0.50% sodium tetra borate + 0.10% sodium silicate added with respect to the weight of the binder) provides complete protection to reinforcements tested for long durations under wet/dry treatments with mortars in saline water and laboratory atmospheres. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, direct current cyclic polarization, polarization resistance, and visual observations are used for quantitative and qualitative evaluations of the protective effects of the tested additives. X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis of the corrosion products formed on the embedded steel surfaces help explain the possible mechanisms behind the considerable improvement in the inhibitive effects of a mixed composition of borate and silicate. This combination also improves the compressive strength and workability of the mixed concrete. The results reveal that the synergistic protection provided by a mixture of borate and silicate can be attributed to the co-deposition of an iron-boron + ferrosilicate + cortensitite (an iron-silicon phase) film on the rebar surface.